Dichanthelium

Dichanthelium
Dichanthelium scoparium
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Dichanthelium
(Hitchc. & Chase) Gould
Species

See text.

Dichanthelium is genus of flowering plants of the grass family, Poaceae. They are known commonly as rosette grasses.[1]

Formerly a subgenus of the genus Panicum, Dichanthelium was elevated to genus status in 1974.[2] Its species are still treated as members of Panicum by some authorities, because the two genera are very similar in form. Molecular data supports the recognition of Dichanthelium as a separate genus.[3]

These are perennial grasses, sometimes with rhizomes. The grasses may overwinter as rosettes of short, wide leaves and then produce longer, wider leaves on the stem during spring. They produce hollow stems a few centimeters tall to well over one meter. They are upright to erect when new, then sometimes sprawling, spreading, and bending as the season progresses. The upper stems may have a few main branches that divide into smaller branches bearing panicles. There are primary panicles, which may be chasmogamous, and secondary panicles, which are often cleistogamous. The spikelets are roughly 1 to 5 millimeters long and lack awns.[3]

There are about 72 species in the genus.[3]

Species include:[1][3][4][5]

Dichanthelium leibergii
Dichanthelium laxiflorum
Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon
Dichanthelium acuminatum ssp. sericeum

References

  1. 1 2 Dichanthelium. USDA PLANTS.
  2. ↑ Gould, F. W. (1974). Nomenclatural changes in the Poaceae. Brittonia 26(1), 59-60.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Freckmann, R. W. and M. G. Lelong. Dichanthelium. The Grass Manual. Flora of North America.
  4. ↑ Dichanthelium. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
  5. ↑ GRIN Species Records of Dichanthelium. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).
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