Panicum latzii

HABIT Perennial. Rootstock evident. Cataphylls evident. Culms erect; 40–80 cm long; 3–8 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface; outer margin glabrous. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 1.2–3 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; 14–40 cm long; 2.5–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 20–40 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; 15–30 cm long; bearing 24–80 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle axis scabrous. Panicle branches scabrous; bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–7 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 3.3–4.1 mm long; 1–1.3 mm wide; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes elongated between glumes.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume obovate; 0.8–1.2 mm long; 0.25 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex truncate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9 -veined. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 9 -veined; acute. Palea of lower sterile floret 1 length of lemma. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.2–2.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma lateral veins distinct. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.3–1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Paniceae. Webster 1993.

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