Panicum obtusum

HABIT Perennial. Rootstock evident. Stolons present. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect; 20–60 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or hispid. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 2–7 mm wide; glaucous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1–4; single, or borne along a central axis; appressed; 1–2 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–10(–14) cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or obovate; dorsally compressed; 3.4–4 mm long; falling entire.

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

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 3.4–4 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface reticulate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northwest USA, north-central USA, southwest USA, south-central USA, southeast USA, and Mexico.

NOTES Paniceae. Gould.

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