Panicum

Panicum
Panicum virgatum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Panicum
L.
Synonyms[1]

Panicum (panicgrass)[2] is a large genus of about 450 species of grasses native throughout the tropical regions of the world, with a few species extending into the northern temperate zone. They are often large, annual or perennial grasses, growing to 1–3 m tall.[3][4]

The flowers are produced in a well-developed panicle often up to 60 cm in length with numerous seeds, which are 1–6 mm long and 1–2 mm broad. The fruits are developed from a two-flowered spikelet. Only the upper floret of each spikelet is fertile; the lower floret is sterile or staminate. Both glumes are present and well developed.[5][6][7][8][9][10]

Australia has 29 native and 9 introduced species of Panicum.[11][12][13]

Well-known Panicum species include proso millet and switchgrass.

Selected species

Gallery

References

  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. "Panicum". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
  3. Freckmann, R. W. & M. G. Lelong. 2002. Nomenclatural changes and innovations in Panicum and Dichanthelium (Poaceae: Paniceae). Sida 20(1): 161–174
  4. Valdes, B. & H. Scholz. 2006. The Euro+Med treatment of Gramineae - a generic synopsis and some new names. Willdenowia 36(2): 657–669
  5. Flora of China Vol. 22 Page 504 黍属 shu shu Panicum Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 55. 1753.
  6. Flora of Pakistan
  7. Altervista Flora Italiana, genere Panicum includes photos and distribution maps of several species
  8. Biota of North America Program 2013 county distribution maps
  9. Valdés-Reyna, J., F. O. Zuloaga, O. Morrone & L. Aragón Melchor. 2009. El género Panicum (Poaceae: Panicoideae) en el noreste de México. Boletín de la Sociedad Botánica de México 84: 59–82.
  10. Morrone, O., A. M. Antón & F. O. Zuloaga. 1995. Axonopus. Flora Fanerogámica Argentina. 19(1): 11–16
  11. Grasses of the Tweed Valley of NSW: An introductory field guide to locally common grasses: native and introduced, Compiled by Penny Watsford, Nullum Publications, 2004 ISBN 0-9756823-0-X)
  12. Ausgrass2, Grasses of Australia
  13. Atlas of Living Australia

External links

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