Panicum.'] 



Graminecz. 



131 



paleate, bisexual, palea usually as long as the glume, mem- 

 branous; lodicules 2, cuneate; stam. 3; styles distinct, stigmas 

 exserted near the top of the spikelet ; grain free, but tightly 

 embraced by the hardened glume and palea, oblong, ellipsoid, 

 or lanceolate, hilum punctiform or orbicular, embryo rather 

 large. — Sp. 200-250; 60 in Fl. B. Ind. 



The following Key to the species of Panicum follows in the main the 

 arrangement in the Fl. B. Ind. It can be regarded as a help only to the 

 identification of the species. The characters distinguishing the sections 

 Brachiaria and Effuses are not very dependable. 



A. Spikelets dorsally compressed or sub- 

 terete. 

 Infl. racemose, of simple (rarely 

 branched) spikes bearing secund 

 spikelets. 

 Rhachis of spikes broad, flattened 

 (Paspaloidece). 

 Spikelets biseriate. 



Spikelets villous . /\ . 

 Spikelets glabrous. 



Spikes shorter than the inter- 

 nodes .... 

 Spikes longer than the inter- 

 nodes. 

 Glume IV granulate . 

 Glume IV smooth 

 Spikelets 3-5-seriate, glume III 

 cuspidate or awned {Echi- 

 nochloa). 

 Glume III awned 

 Glume III cuspidate 

 Rhachis of spikes narrow, filiform, 

 terete or angular {Brachiaria). 

 Glume I as long or nearly as long 

 as III 

 Glume IV minutely granulate . 

 Glume IV smooth, polished 

 Glume I much shorter than III. 

 Spikelets approximate or im- 

 bricate. 

 Glume I about \ as long as 

 III, veinless or i-veined. 

 Spikelets glabrous or pube- 

 rulous .... 

 Spikelets pubescent or vil- 

 lous .... 

 Glume I \-\ as long as III, 

 5-veined. 

 L. base narrow or rounded. 

 Nodes densely bearded . 

 Nodes naked or pube- 

 rulous 



I. 



P. 



ISACHNE. 



2. 



P. 



FLAVIDUM. 



J* 



P. 



PUNCTATUM. 



4- 



P. 



FLUITANS. 



5- 



P. 



Crus-galli. 



6. 



P. 



COLONUM. 



P. AMBIGUUM. 

 P. ORYZOIDES. 



9. P. PROSTRATUM. 

 IO. P. VILLOSUM. 



II. P. MUTICUM. 



12. P. RAMOSUM. 



