Panicum latissimum

HABIT Perennial. Culms robust; 300 cm long; 5–10 mm diam. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base cordate. Leaf-blades oblong, or ovate; 10–35 cm long; 30–110 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 20–45 cm long; contracted about secondary branches. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches secund.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; acute; 2–2.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.75 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface puberulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 0.8–0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; puberulous; acute. Palea of lower sterile floret 0.7–0.8 length of lemma; pubescent. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 1.5–2 mm long; indurate; pallid, or dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. WDC.

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