Panicum capillare L.

Tufted summer annuals. Leaf-sheath light green to purplish, rounded, densely villous, hairs fine, soft, tubercle-based. Ligule 1–2 mm, a truncate membranous ciliate rim. Leaf-blade 7.5–15–(30) cm × 3–9–(12) mm, rounded at base, gradually narrowed above, light green, rather thin, usually villous with scattered, fine, tubercle-based hairs, midrib obvious; margins finely scabrid, often undulate, tip acuminate. Culm (7.5)–15–30–(45) cm, erect, slightly compressed, nodes densely pubescent, internodes villous with long tubercle-based hairs, or glabrous. Panicle 15–40 × 4–15 cm, often ½ length of plant, very diffuse, with fine branches at first ascending, later spreading; rachis and branches with scattered hairs, finer branchlets and pedicels scabrid; whole panicle detaching at maturity and blown by the wind. Spikelets 2.3–3 mm, glabrous except at tip, light green or purplish, elliptic, narrowed to acute or acuminate tip. Lower glume < ½ length of spikelet, ovate-triangular, 5-nerved, acute, tipped by minute hairs, upper = spikelet, 7–9-nerved, elliptic, tapered above to acute, very minutely ciliate apex. Lower floret Ø: lemma very slightly < upper glume, 5-nerved, elliptic, dorsally flattened, laterally incurved, tapered above to acute, very minutely ciliate apex; palea 0. Upper floret ☿: lemma 1.5–2 mm, elliptic, subacute, faintly striolate, glabrous, shining, light cream; palea narrow; anthers 0.8–1.3 mm; caryopsis c. 1.5 mm.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]