Panicum urvilleanum

HABIT Perennial; culms solitary. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 50–100 cm long. Culm-nodes bearded. Leaf-sheaths hirsute; with reflexed hairs. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades tapering towards tip; 10–20 cm long; 4–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 25–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 6–7 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; clasping; 0.66–1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface villous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; villous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 4–5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute; ciliate. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA and Mexico. South America: southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Baja Cal 1994.

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