Panicum deciduum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent. Culms 200–400 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Lateral branches ample; arising from mid culm. Leaf-sheaths loose and deciduous; mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades 7–9 cm long; 4–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; dense; 3–7 cm long; 1–3 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending; 2–4 cm long. Panicle branches stiff.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 3–3.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; clasping; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Lower glume surface villous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface villous. 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; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; dorsally compressed; 1.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Swallen 2002.

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