41 



Fig. 27. Pennisetum setosum (Sw.) Rich. — a, A spikelet surrounded by ciliate 

 bristles; b, the same with the bristles removed, showing 2 stamens and 2 stigmas; 

 c, flowering glume. 



27. PENNISETUM Pers. Syn. 1: 72. 1805. Spikelets solitary or 2-3 together, 

 subtended by an involucre of one to many bristles, which are often plumose 

 and fall off with the spikelets at maturity: inflorescence racemose or dense and 

 spike-like. Glumes 4; the 1st empty and smaller than the others; the 2d usually 

 as long as the spikelet, empty; the 3d empty, or with a palea or a staminate 

 flower; the 4th or terminal inclosing a pistillate or hermaphrodite flower and 

 palea. Stamens 3. Styles distinct or more or less connate below; stigmas 

 plumose. Grain included in the rigid fruiting glume and palea, free. Annual 

 or perennial grasses, with simple or branched culms; flat leaves with usually 

 spike-like panicles terminal on the culm or its branches. 



Species about 40, chiefly natives of the tropical and subtropical regions of the 

 Old World: a few in America. 



