Panicum prolutum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 20–70 cm long; wiry; 5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–4 mm long; truncate, or obtuse. Leaf-blades 2–15 cm long; 2–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acute, or acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 10–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; branching divaricately; 5–20 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous; with prominent pulvini.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1.5–10 mm long; scabrous; tip cupuliform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; compressed slightly; plano-convex; acute; 3–4 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.66–0.85 length of spikelet; membranous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins prominent; parallel at apex. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7(–9) -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; acute, or acuminate. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.25–2.5 mm long; indurate; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface puberulous; hairy above; with clavate hairs. 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.