Panicum hillmanii* Chase. J. Wash. Acad. Sci. 14: 345 fig. 1 (1934).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: HT: A.S. Hitchock 16206, 11 Aug 1918, USA:
Texas: Amarillo (US-1037542).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South
Australia (462).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (462, fig. 394).
Habit. Annual.
Rhizomes absent. Stolons absent. Culms decumbent, 20–65 cm tall, 4 -noded.
Mid-culm internodes hispid. Mid-culm nodes pubescent. Lateral branches sparsely
branched. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule a fringed
membrane or a fringe of hairs, 1.7–2.5 mm long. Leaf-blades linear, 8–15 cm
long, 5–12 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle ovate, 10–30 cm long, evenly
furnished.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren
(rarely male), the upper fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets,
comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate or
ovate, dorsally compressed, 2.4–3 mm long. Rhachilla internodes brief up to
lowest fertile floret.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate, membranous, without
keels, 5 -nerved. Lower glume apex muticous. Upper glume elliptic or ovate,
2.3–2.5 mm long, membranous, without keels, 7 -nerved. Florets. Basal
sterile florets 1, barren, with palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100 % of
length of spikelet, membranous, 5–9 -nerved, muticous.
Fertile lemma 1.7–2 mm
long, without keel. Lemma apex muticous.
Continental
Distribution: Australasia and North America.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania.
South Australia:
Northern Lofty, Murray, Southern Lofty, South-eastern. Victoria:
Midlands, Murray Mallee, Riverina, Volcanic Plain, Wannon, Wimmera. Tasmania:
Midlands, East Coast, South West. Western Australia: Coolgardie, Roe.
Notes.
Introduced. Flowers Jan.
