Panicum simulans (Paniceae, Poaceae), a new species from southern Africa and its leaf anatomy

Abstract

Panicum simulans Smook from northern Namibia is formally described. The morphology and leaf blade anatomy in transection and surface view, as observed under the light microscope, are described. The species is compared to others with which it has been confused in the past.  P. simulans can be readily distinguished from  P. novemnerve Stapf and P schinzii Hack, on the basis of both anatomical and morphological characters such as the venation of the lower glume and the photosynthetic anatomy, which is of the NAD-me subtype of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. On this basis it appears that P simulans is closely allied to the P. coloratum L. group of species and should be placed in section Panicum of subgenus Panicum.