Panicum marauense

HABIT Perennial. Culms 70–180 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaves without demarcation between sheath and blade. Ligule absent. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; flat, or involute; 43–70 cm long; 12–22 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins serrulate. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong, or pyramidal; dense; 12–18 cm long; contracted about secondary branches. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.3–3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. 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; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.3–3 mm long; indurate; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Bahia 1995.

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