Panicum neoperrieri

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 300–400 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths striately veined; puberulous. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 9–11 cm long; 8–15 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface puberulous. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; effuse; 15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 10–30 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; dorsally compressed; 2.8–3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2.8–3 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9–11 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins prominent. Lower glume surface woolly; hairy at apex. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9–11 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins prominent. Upper glume surface woolly; hairy at apex. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 9 -veined; woolly; hairy at apex; obtuse. Palea of lower sterile floret 2.5–2.6 mm long; pubescent. Fertile lemma ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.7 mm long; indurate; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Paniceae. Camus 1999.

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