Panicum ensifolium

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 20–40 cm long. Lateral branches sparse, or ample. Leaves heterophyllous with a basal winter rosette. Ligule absent. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 1–3 cm long; 1.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface puberulous; hairy abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 1.5–4 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 1.3–1.5 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes elongated between glumes.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.2 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume orbicular; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or puberulous. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; glabrous, or puberulous. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1.3–1.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northeast USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana and Caribbean.

NOTES Paniceae. Man US Grass 2004.

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