OLIII. GRAMINEiG. 1817 



4. PANICUM, Linn. 



(The old Latin name from the inflorescence being so frequently in panicles.) 

 (Digitaria, Seop. ; Echinoohloa, Beauv. ; Coridoohloa, Nees). 



Spikelets with 1 terminal hermaphrodite flower and occasionally a male or 

 rudimentary flower below it, rarely awned, variously arranged along the branches 

 of a simple or compound panicle, rarely reduced to a simple spike, the partial 

 rhachis very rarely produced beyond the last spikelet ; barren awn-like branches 

 none, or very rarely a single one. Glumes usually 4, the outer one smaller than 

 the others, not awned, often very small, deficient only in P. fjibhosum, the 2nd 

 and 8rd very variable in relative proportions, the 3rd occasionally with a palea 

 with or without 8 stamens in its axil ; 4th or fruiting glume smaller or as long 

 as the 8rd, of a firmer consistence, enclosing a palea and hermrphrodite iiower. 

 Styles distinct or very shortly united at the base. Grain enclosed in the hardened 

 fruiting glume and palea, but free from them. 



One of the largest genera of Graminse, abundantly represented in all tropical countries, a few 

 species extending beyond the tropica in the Old World, ajjd u, somewhat larger number in 

 North America. 



The great differences iu iaflorescence, a. character admitted as generic iu most Graminetc, 

 has induced the division of Panicum into several genera more or less adopted by Nees, Kunth 

 and others, but there are so many intermediate species connecting the different groups or series 

 that I have not succeeded in giving characters positive enough to define them even as sections, 

 — Benth. 



Series I. JHgita,riesBm— Spikelets mostly in pairs along tite outer or loiver side of the 

 simple slender branches of the panicle, oneofeachpait always pedicellate, the other sessile or on a 

 shorter pedicel, the upper ones of each branch oecasionilhj solitary, the lower ones very rarely 

 clustered. Outer glume usually very small. 



(While I have followe I Sir Jos. Hooker in many instances where be has differed frpm the Gen. 

 PI. of B. and H., in the placing ot Series Digilariea; of Panicum in the genus Paspalum 

 I have not done so, as I consider that to do so with the Queensland species would be 

 confusing to the persons who wilUuse this Flora; where, however, an alteration afiected a 

 single species only I have followed that eminent author's excellent arrangement given in the vii. 

 vol. ot the Flora of British India.) 



Branches of the panicle often numerous, the lower ones long and verti- 



cillate, the upper ones scattered. 

 Lowest spikelet of each pair sessile. 



Spikelets 1 J to 2 lines long, more or less silky hairy 1. P. canicolum. 



Spikelets 1 to 1^ line long, more or less silky hairy 2. P. divaricatissimum. 



Spikelets 1 to l| line long, not silky, but the lateral nerves ol the 

 third glume ciliate with rigid haics seated on tubercles . . . . 3. P. macractiniiwi. 

 Both spikelets of each pair on long capillary pedicels, one pedicel 



much longer than the other. Spikelets under 1 line long, glabrous 



or silky hairy 4. P. papposum. 



Branches of the panicle few, digitate or clustered at the end of the 



peduncle. 

 Branches 3 to 8. Spikelets of each pair similar, both fertile, 



glabrous or softly ciliate 5. P. sanjmnale. 



Branches of the panicle scattered or the upper ones approximate, the 



lower ones rarely clustered and not verticillate. 

 Branches usually 3, distant, 1 to IJin. long. Spikelets ovoid, about 



J line long . 6. P. tenuissimtim. 



Branches of ten numerous, 2 to 6in. long, Spikelets glabrous, J to ' '^ 



f line long, the lower ones often clustered 7. P. parviflorum. 



Branches often numerous, 2 to 6in. long. Spikelets narrow, nearly 



1 line long, silky hairy ' . 8. P. Baileyi. 



(The spikelets are usually in pairs also in P. prostratum, and occasionally in sottie others.) 



Sebies II. TrlcbacIineeD. — Spikelets silky hairy, or fringed with long hairs, sessile or 

 shortly pedicellate, clustered or rarely in, pairs along the rliachis of the simple spike-like panicle 

 or of tJie 2 or few long erect branches. 



Spike single. Spikelets mostly in pairs, about 1 line long, silky hairy, - - 

 the outer glume deficient <......... 9. P. gibbosum. 



Spike-like branches few or spike sitigle. Spikelets mostly clustered-, 

 1 to IJ line long, the outer glume present tut small and often 

 concealed by the long silky haira ....§■.-...•.•.. 10. P. ■leitcopheeum. 



