Panicum poioides

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Culms 30–60(–90) cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades tapering towards sheath, or parallel-sided; 6–8(–26) cm long; 3–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose, or hispid; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; dense; 6–12(–16) cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.3–3.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume ovate; 0.5–0.66 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1(–5) -veined. Lower glume apex acute, or acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 2.3–3.2 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins distinct. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west-central tropical, northeast tropical, east tropical, and southern tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTEA.

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