Panicum joshuae

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 15–25(–70) cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 5–15(–50) cm long; 2–3(–6) mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open, or contracted; 5–9(–30) cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–2 -nate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; 1.7–2.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.8 mm long; 0.4 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume ovate; 1.7–2.2 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; dorsally compressed; 1.7–2.2 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; orange. Stigmas red.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: middle Atlantic ocean.

NOTES Paniceae. Lambdon 2014.

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