Panicum validum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms robust; 30–150 cm long; 2.5–3.5 mm diam. Culm-internodes elliptical in section; with small lumen; 14.5–26.5 cm long; striate. Culm-nodes purple; glabrous. Leaf-sheaths 13–33 cm long; keeled. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–0.7 mm long. Leaf-blades 37–90 cm long; 9–11 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib widened; keeled beneath. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate, or oblong; 17–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches 20 in number; simple. Panicle branches pubescent in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels angular; ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 3–3.5 mm long; 1.3–2 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 2–2.5 mm long; 0.66 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1–5 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume apex acute; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -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. Palea of lower sterile floret 1–2 mm long. Fertile lemma lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 3–3.4 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 0.5–1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Entre Rios 1995.

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