Panicum incumbens

HABIT Perennial. Culms rambling; 85 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 13–22 cm long; 9–18 mm wide; coriaceous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous; scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 6–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed. Panicle axis scabrous; pilose. Panicle branches stiff; scabrous; pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; acute; 2.9–3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.15–0.33 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5–7 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2–6 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma surface striate; pubescent. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Paniceae. Swallen 1995.

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