Panicum obseptum

HABIT Perennial. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms decumbent; weak; 15–30 cm long; compressible; 6–7 -noded; rooting from lower nodes. Culm-nodes pubescent. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode, or longer than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 0.5–0.75 mm long. Leaf-blades 1–10 cm long; 1.25–4 mm wide; membranous. Leaf-blade midrib indistinct. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent; sparsely hairy. Leaf-blade apex acute, or acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 2–3 cm long. Primary panicle branches simple, or sparsely divided. Panicle branches smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1.5–3 mm long; smooth; tip discoid.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; subacute; 2.75–3.25 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate; 0.25 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 0–1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex truncate, or obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl NSW 1993.

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