Panicum niihauense

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 50–125 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Culm-nodes pubescent. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths puberulous and hispid. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 1.4–3.2 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–35 cm long; 7–19 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 13–35 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches appressed. Panicle axis puberulous. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 2.6–3.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.9–1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7–9 -veined; acute. Palea of lower sterile floret 0.2–0.25 length of lemma. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 1.2–1.5 mm long; indurate; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.9–1.2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Pacific: north-central.

NOTES Paniceae. Wagner 1993.

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