''Panicum'' (panicgrass) 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 tall.
The flowers are produced in a well-developed
panicle
A panicle is a much-branched inflorescence. (softcover ). Some authors distinguish it from a compound spike inflorescence, by requiring that the flowers (and fruit) be pedicellate (having a single stem per flower). The branches of a panicle are of ...
often up to in length with numerous seeds, which are long and 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.
Australia has 29 native and 9 introduced species of ''Panicum''.
Well-known ''Panicum'' species include ''
Panicum miliaceum'' (proso millet) and ''
Panicum virgatum'' (switchgrass).
Selected species
Formerly classified in this genus, according to The Plant List:
Gallery
File:Starr 020201-9001 Panicum antidotale.jpg, ''Panicum antidotale
''Panicum antidotale'' Retz. ( Punjabi: ਘਮੂਰ ghamur, English: blue panicgrass) is a tall (up to 3 metres), coarse, woody perennial grass throughout the Himalaya and the Upper Gangetic Plain and specifically in various regions of the Ind ...
''
File:Panicum capillare NPS-1.jpg, ''Panicum capillare
''Panicum capillare'', known by the common name witchgrass, is a species of grass. It is native plant to most of North America from the East Coast through all of the West Coast and California. It can be found as an introduced species in Eurasia ...
''
File:Panicum lycopiodoides detail 2.JPG, '' Panicum lycopodioides''
File:Starr 040423-0027 Panicum maximum.jpg, '' Panicum maximum''
File:Panicum miliaceum0.jpg, Proso millet
File:Panicum phragmitoides MS 1830.JPG, ''Panicum phragmitoides
''Panicum'' (panicgrass) is a large genus of about 450 species of Poaceae, grasses native throughout the tropical regions of the world, with a few species extending into the northern temperate zone. They are often large, Annual plant, annual or P ...
''
File:Starr 050902-4349 Panicum repens.jpg, ''Panicum repens
''Panicum repens'' is a species of grass known by many common names, including torpedograss, creeping panic, panic rampant, couch panicum, wainaku grass, quack grass, dog-tooth grass, and bullet grass. Its exact native range is obscure. Sources ...
''
File:Starr 050315-5135 Panicum torridum.jpg, ''Panicum torridum
''Panicum'' (panicgrass) is a large genus of about 450 species of Poaceae, grasses native throughout the tropical regions of the world, with a few species extending into the northern temperate zone. They are often large, Annual plant, annual or P ...
''
File:Starr 020112-0032 Panicum xerophilum.jpg, ''Panicum xerophyllum
''Panicum'' (panicgrass) 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, growi ...
''
File:Naturalis Biodiversity Center - L.1295307 - Panicum trichoides Sw. - Gramineae - Plant type specimen.jpeg, '' Panicum trichoides'', isotype herbarium sheet
References
External links
Interactive Key to ''Panicum'' of North America
{{Authority control
Poaceae genera
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus