Panicum racemosum

HABIT Perennial. Cataphylls evident. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 45–55 cm long; 1.4–3 mm diam. Culm-nodes brown; bearded. Leaf-sheaths hispid; with reflexed hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 1.5–2.5 mm long. Leaf-blades aciculate; convolute; 23–43 cm long; 0.6–3.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 10.5–25 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches appressed; simple; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 5–8 mm long; 3–5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume obovate; 0.66–0.75 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface villous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 9 -veined. Upper glume surface villous. 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; 9 -veined; villous; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 5–8 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute; pilose; hairy below. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia. South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Cat.

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