Panicum chillagoanum B.K.Simon

Simon, B.K. (1992) Austrobaileya 3(40: 596. Type: Queensland. COOK DISTRICT: Chillagoe-Almaden road 8 km from Chillagoe, limestone outcrop, 8 March 1980, B.K.Simon 3556 & J.R.Clarkson (holo: BRI(AQ 381541); iso: BRI,CANB,DNA,K,L,MBA,NSW). Fig. 5.

Tufted annual with erect culms, 15-60 cm tall, 2-3-noded, with simple lateral branches.

Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule a fringed membrane, 1 mm long. Leaf-blades linear or triangular, 2-12 cm long, 2-5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose, with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

Inflorescence a compound open panicle, ovate in outline, 4-25 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading, 3-14 cm long, bearing 15-20 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle axis smooth. Panicle branches bearing distant spikelets, scabrous. Spikelets solitary. Pedicels angular, 3-12 mm long, scabrous. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, comprising 1 fertile floret, lower floret sterile, upper fertile, without rhachilla extension, lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 2.1-2.7 mm long, 0.8-1 mm wide, falling entire. Rhachilla internodes elongated between glumes. Glumes dissimilar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, 0.9-1.2 mm long, 4half the length of spikelet, membranous, 5-nerved. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate, 2.1-2.7 mm long, same length than spikelet, membranous, 5-nerved. Upper glume apex acuminate. Basal sterile floret 1, without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume, ovate, equal length of spikelet, membranous, acuminate. Fertile lemma oblong, dorsally compressed, 1.5 mm long, chartaceous or indurate, light brown. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute, chartaceous or indurate.

Caryopsis with very smooth and glossy testa.

Features not available.

Occurs in a restricted area in NEQ in and around Chillagoe. Altitudinal range from 360-400 m. Grows in vine thicket and wooded grassland on limestone.