Dichanthelium acuminatum (Sw.) Gould &
C. A. Clark
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Paniceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Panicum acuminatum Sw., P. lindheimeri Nash, P. huachucae Ashe
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
hairy panicgrass
Primary Disseminule Type
spikelet, floret
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary, pedicelled, elliptic or oblong to obovate, dorsally compressed, 1.1–2.1 mm long x ca. 0.7–0.9 mm wide x ca. 0.5–0.8 mm thick, yellowish-green to olivaceous or purplish, variously pubescent, consisting of one basal sterile floret and one fertile floret without rachilla extension. Disarticulation at base of each spikelet.
Glumes ovate, dissimilar, reaching apex of florets, thinner than fertile lemma, membranous, without keels, apices obtuse to acute. Lower glume 0.25–0.5 length of spikelet, enwrapping base of spikelet, 1-veined. Upper glume same length as spikelet, 7–9-veined, veins ribbed, surface pubescent.
Sterile lemma similar to upper glume (ovate, membranous, same length as spikelet, 7–9-veined, veins ribbed, surface pubescent, apex obtuse). Sterile palea 0.25 length of sterile lemma.
Fertile floret held loosely by outer bracts and ± exposed at maturity. Fertile lemma ovate, dorsally compressed, 1.1–2 mm long x 0.6–1 mm wide, indurate, straw-colored, shiny, without keel, veins obscure, margins involute, apex obtuse to acute or minutely umbonate or apiculate.
Fertile palea indurate, margins involute.
Caryopsis broadly elliptic to broadly oblong, ca. 0.9–1 mm long x ca. 0.6–0.8 mm wide, straw-colored, somewhat translucent, surface rugose, embryo ca. 0.33 length of caryopsis, hilum oval, orangish.
Similar Species
Similar Species Comparison Chart
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZWP, NZBORIC, NZBPI