Dichanthelium koolauense (H.St.John & Hosaka) C.A.Clark & Gould

synonyms: Panicum koolauense, Panicum ekeanum


no known common names


Info

Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus etymology: Dichanthelium = "having two inflorescences" [Greek] refering to the temperate members of this genus which have differently structured spring and fall inflorescences
Species etymology: koolauense = from the Ko'olau mountains of O'ahu
Photosynthetic type: C3 (cool season)
Nativity: endemic

Map

 Distribution of Dichanthelium koolauense in Hawaiʻi.

Inflorescence

Dichanthelium koolauense Inflorescence
Dichanthelium koolauense Inflorescence
Dichanthelium koolauense Inflorescence
Dichanthelium koolauense Inflorescence

Plant

Dichanthelium koolauense Plant
Dichanthelium koolauense Plant
Dichanthelium koolauense Plant
Dichanthelium koolauense Plant
Dichanthelium koolauense Plant
Dichanthelium koolauense Plant
Dichanthelium koolauense Plant

Habit

Dichanthelium koolauense Habit

Landscape

Dichanthelium koolauense Landscape

Description

Perennials forming low tussocks or mats; culms numerous, tightly packed, densely leafy, 5-15 cm tall. Leaves short, narrow, strongly-veined, closely imbricated; sheaths puberulent, especially toward base, and ciliate; ligule minute, usually less than 0.2 mm long; blades usually 0.7-1.8 cm long and 1-1.8 mm wide, glabrous or scaberulous, tapering to a narrow, involute apex. Inflorescences of contracted panicles, or more commonly racemes of 2-3 or occasionally up to 6 spikelets, axis of inflorescence glabrous or only slightly puberulent; spikelets 2-3 mm long; first glume usually 1/2-2/3 as long as spikelet.
(Description source: O’Connor, P.J. 1990. Poaceae, pp. 1481–1604. In: Wagner W.L., Herbst D.R. & Sohmer S.H. (eds.)., Manual of the flowering plant of Hawaiʻi. Vol. 2. University of Hawaii Press & Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu )