Panicum strictissimum

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 60–90 cm long; 1–3 mm diam. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–20 cm long; 3–10 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong, or obovate; 7–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 1–6 mm long.

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

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; dull. Lower glume elliptic; 0.75–1 length of spikelet; membranous; grey; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; grey; without keels; winged on margins; winged near apex; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Upper glume apex emarginate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 1.3 mm long; chartaceous; pallid; without keel. Lemma surface tuberculate (verruculose). Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; chartaceous. Palea surface tuberculate (verruculose).

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.75 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: west tropical and west-central tropical.

NOTES Paniceae. FTA.

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