Panicum capuronii

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; weak; 6–12 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Culm-nodes bearded. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; outer margin hairy. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded. Leaf-blades lanceolate, or ovate; 2.5–3.5 cm long; 6–9 mm wide; flaccid. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; oblong; 4–5 cm long; 1–1.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels unequal; 0.2–0.5 mm long; 2.5 mm long at branch tip.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; acute; 1.2–1.3 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface pilose; hairy at apex. Lower glume hairs 0.5–0.7 mm long. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose; hairy at apex. Upper glume hairs 0.5–0.7 mm long. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; lanceolate; 1–1.2 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined. Fertile lemma lanceolate, or oblong; dorsally compressed; 1–1.2 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: western Indian ocean.

NOTES Paniceae. Camus 2007.

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