Panicum nudicaule

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 40–60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Lateral branches sparse. Leaves heterophyllous with a basal winter rosette. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule absent. Leaf-blades 4–10 cm long; 5–8 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 4–7 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; acuminate; 2.7–2.9 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; clasping; 0.25 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.7–2.9 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southeast USA.

NOTES Paniceae. Man US Grass 2004.

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