Panicum jauanum

HABIT Perennial. Culms 100–150 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.3–2.3 mm long. Leaf-blades 20–40 cm long; 12–16 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 15 cm long; 9 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 5–11 cm long. Panicle branches glabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 3.1–3.3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2.1–2.3 mm long; 0.66 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.6–2.7 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Davidse 2001.

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