Panicum haenkeanum

HABIT Perennial. Culms rambling; 100–200 cm long; 1 mm diam.; rooting from lower nodes. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches ample; arising from lower culm and mid culm. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3–0.5 mm long. Collar bearded. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 3–10 cm long; 4–10 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 7–16 cm long.

Spikelets spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; flexuous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; acute; 2.4–2.6 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; clasping; 2.2–2.3 mm long; 0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 2.2–2.5 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 2.2–2.5 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; puberulous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1.7 mm long; indurate; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.9–1 mm long; brown.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Mesoamericana, northern South America, western South America, and Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Costa Rica 1994.

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