Panicum congoense

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths glabrous, or pubescent; persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms erect; 30–60 cm long. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 10–20 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 10–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–2 -nate. Panicle branches capillary; glabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 1.5–1.7 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.66 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1–5 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 1 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical, west-central tropical, and southern tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTA.

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