Pennisetum L. C. M. Richard

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1980, Flora Europaea. Volume 5. Alismataceae to Orchidaceae (Monocotyledones), Cambridge: Cambridge University Press : 264

141. Pennisetum L. C. M. Richard 1

Annuals or perennials. Inflorescence spike-like, each spikelet or cluster of spikelets enclosed by an involucre of slender bristles which are free throughout and fall with the spikelets. Spikelets lanceolate to oblong, with two florets; lower glume often minute; upper glume very small or up to as long as the spikelet; lower floret male or sterile, its lemma as long as the spikelet or much reduced; upper floret hermaphrodite, its lemma membranous to thinly coriaceous.

Inflorescence linear; spikelets 4- 5- 6- 5 mm 1. setaceum Inflorescence broadly cylindrical to subglobose; spikelets 7-14 mm 2. villosum