Panicum condensatum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms decumbent; 100–160 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes constricted; glabrous. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths striately veined. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blade base amplexicaul. Leaf-blades erect, or ascending; lanceolate; 10–15 cm long; 12–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib evident. Leaf-blade margins scabrous; ciliate; hairy at base. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 15–40 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches spreading; 1–10 cm long.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; 2–2.3 mm long; 0.5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.3 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 2 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; scaberulous; acute. Fertile lemma lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 2 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma surface punctate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid, or ovoid; 1.5–2 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Cat 1997.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.