Panicum virgatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated; scaly. Culms 60–300 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous, or bearded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1.5–3 mm long. Leaf-blades 10–60 cm long; 3–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–55 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 3–5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; clasping; 0.66–0.75 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; acuminate. Fertile lemma ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.5–3.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia. North America: western Canada, eastern Canada, northwest USA, north-central USA, northeast USA, southwest USA, south-central USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: Caribbean and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Texas 1993.

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