Panicum pectinellum

HABIT Perennial. Rootstock evident. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect; 20–60(–90) cm long. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths pubescent; with tubercle-based hairs and capitate hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 3–9 cm long; 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic, or ovate; (3–)6–13 cm long. Panicle branches capillary; flexuous; pilose; with clavellate hairs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 1.5–2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 0.2–0.25 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 0–3 -veined. Lower glume apex lobed; 3 -fid. Upper glume oblong; 0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex lobed; 5 -fid.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; oblong; 0.66–0.75 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; lobed; 5–7 -fid. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 1.5–2 mm long; chartaceous; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; chartaceous.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west-central tropical and southern tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FZ.

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