Digitaria cognata

HABIT Perennial. Rootstock evident. Rhizomes absent, or elongated. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms 30–80 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 3–10 cm long; 1–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; terminal and axillary; deciduous as a whole.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 8–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle branches capillary; straight.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 4–70 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.5–4 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous to villous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5–7 -veined; glabrous to villous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5–4 mm long; cartilaginous; much thinner on margins; light brown; without keel. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex acute. Palea cartilaginous.

DISTRIBUTION North America: north-central USA, northeast USA, southwest USA, south-central USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Paniceae. Gould.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.