Panicum peteri

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 50–80 cm long. Lateral branches ample. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base asymmetrical. Leaf-blades ovate; 4–8 cm long; 12–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation with distinct cross veins. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially; pilose; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins ciliate (clavellately).

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

Panicle open; oblong; 4–5 cm long. Panicle branches pilose; with clavellate hairs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; acute; 4–4.8 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 11 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 13 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 4–4.8 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; with a little green crest. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: east tropical and southern tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTEA.

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