Panicum repens L.

Gramineae, W. D. Clayton, S. M. Phillips & S. A. Renvoize. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1974

Morphology General Habit

Subglabrous perennial with long rhizomes and often also surface stolons; culms tough, erect or decumbent, 30–100 cm. high, often from a knotty base.

Morphology Leaves

Leaf-blades linear, 7–25 cm. long, 2–8 mm. wide, flat or rolled when dry, often stiff and pungent, distichous, ascending close to the stem, acute or acuminate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Panicle narrowly oblong, 5–20 cm. long, sparsely to moderately branched, the branches usually ascending.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets ovate, 2.5–3 mm. long, pale, often tinged with purple, acute; lower glume broadly ovate, 1/3 the length of the spikelet, hyaline, 1(–3)-nerved, clasping the base of the spikelet, obtuse or acute; upper glume ovate, as long as the spikelet, membranous, (7–)9-nerved, acute; lower lemma similar to the upper glume, male, its palea well developed; upper lemma pale and glossy.

Figures

Fig. 121.

Habitat

Marshes and margins of rivers or lakes, both fresh and brackish water, generally in sandy soil; 150–2000 m.

Distribution

K4 K5 K7 P T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 U1 U2 U3 throughout the tropics and subtropics

Morphology General Habit

Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Stolons absent, or present. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30-100 cm long. Leaves distichous. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades erect; flat, or convolute; 7-25 cm long; 2-8 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate, or attenuate; muticous, or pungent.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a panicle. Panicle open; oblong; 5-20 cm long. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; acute; 2.5-3 mm long; falling entire.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; acute; 2.5-3 mm long; falling entire.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate; 0.33 length of spikelet; hyaline; without keels; 1(-3) -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; (7-)9 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets male; with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7-9 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 2-2.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

Distribution

Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Africa: north, Macaronesia, west tropical, west-central tropical, northeast tropical, east tropical, southern tropical, south, and western Indian ocean. Asia-temperate: western Asia, Arabia, China, and eastern Asia. Asia-tropical: India, Indo-China, Malesia, and Papuasia. Australasia: Australia. Pacific: northwestern and north-central. North America: south-central USA and southeast . South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

Reference

Paniceae. FTEA.

Gramineae, W. D. Clayton. Flora of West Tropical Africa 3:2. 1972

Morphology General Habit

Rhizomatous perennial about 60 cm, high

Ecology

Coastal and riverside sands.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/164447/140435906

Conservation

LC - least concern