Panicum aristellum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 100–200 cm long. Leaf-sheaths as wide as blade at the collar. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 30–50 cm long; 10–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 15–40 cm long; contracted about primary branches. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base. Panicle branches scabrous; bearded in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2–2.8 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.75 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface puberulous. Lower glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0.5 mm long. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0.5–1 mm long.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; puberulous; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 2–2.8 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Cat.

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