Panicum mohavense

HABIT Annual. Culms 2–6(–8) cm long; 1 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Lateral branches ample; arising from lower culm. Leaf-sheaths striately veined; pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades 1–4 cm long; (1–)2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; hairy abaxially; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade margins tuberculate-ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; shorter than basal leaves; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; oblong; dense; 1–2 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; compressed slightly; 2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; clasping; 0.33 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; 7 -veined.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1.5 mm long; indurate; yellow, or light brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1 mm long; purple.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA.

NOTES Paniceae. Reeder 2001.

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