Panicum lachnophyllum

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms decumbent; 15–30 cm long; wiry; 7–8 -noded; rooting from lower nodes. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths striately veined; pilose; with tubercle-based hairs; outer margin hairy. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded; with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades spreading; linear, or lanceolate; 1.5–10 cm long; 3–9 mm wide; firm. Leaf-blade midrib evident. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex acute, or acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 2–7 cm long. Primary panicle branches simple, or sparsely divided. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.5–2 mm long; scabrous; tip discoid.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; dorsally compressed; obtuse, or subacute; 2–2.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate; 0.25 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic, or oblong; dorsally compressed; 1.75–2 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute; pubescent. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl NSW 1993.

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