Panicum rude

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 200–300 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface; outer margin hairy. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Collar with external ligule. Leaf-blade base cordate. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or oblong; 15–50 cm long; 25–50 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–45 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches spreading; 2.5–15 cm long. Panicle branches secund; bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary, or in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; acute; 2–3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.5–1 length of spikelet; membranous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; oblong, or ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 2–3 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Cat 1995.

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