Panicum teretifolium

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect; 40 cm long; 2 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades terete; 30–40 cm long; 1 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear, or oblong; dense; 10–16 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 1 -nate. Panicle branches bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; dorsally compressed; obtuse; 3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins prominent. Upper glume apex acute.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Hackel 1995.

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