Panicum rigidum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Culms decumbent; 30–60 cm long; wiry. Leaves distichous. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 1–3 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade apex acute; pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 1.5–4 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 1.5–1.8 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.5 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Arab 2005.

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