Panicum urvilleanum Kunth
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Paniceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
none
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
silky panicgrass
Primary Disseminule Type
spikelet, floret
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary, pedicelled, elliptic to ovate, slightly dorsally compressed, 5–7.5 mm long x 3–4 mm wide x 3–4 mm thick, light green or purplish, densely villose, hairs silvery or tawny-white, consisting of one basal sterile floret and one fertile floret without rachilla extension. Disarticulation at base of each spikelet.
Glumes ovate, similar, reaching apex of florets, thinner than fertile lemma, membranous, without keels, apices acuminate. Lower glume >0.66 length of spikelet, enwrapping base of spikelet, 7–11-veined. Upper glume same length as spikelet, 7–15-veined, surface villous.
Sterile lemma similar to upper glume (ovate, same length as spikelet, membranous, 7–15-veined), villous, apex acute. Sterile palea almost as long as sterile lemma.
Fertile floret held loosely by outer bracts and ± exposed at maturity. Fertile lemma elliptic, dorsally compressed, 4–5 mm long, indurate, straw-colored to brown, shiny, without keel, veins obscure, surface faintly striolate, margins ciliate (hairs white), involute, apex acute. Fertile palea indurate, margins involute.
Caryopsis broadly elliptic to broadly ovate, 3–3.5 mm long x ca. 2 mm wide, straw-colored, embryo 0.4–0.5 length of caryopsis, hilum oval.
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