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Paired

Occurring in two's, e.g. two spikelets per node.

Palea

The adaxial bract of a floret; two-veined, arising from the floral axis.

Panicle

An inflorescence type in which the central axis branches and rebranches.

Papilla

A minute nipple-shaped projection.

Papillose

Having minute nipple-shaped projections on the surface.

Pectinate

An arrangement of parts resembling the teeth of a comb (e.g., the spikelets on Bouteloua hirsuta).

Pedicel

The stalk of a spikelet, except for spikelets on a spike inflorescence.

Pedicellate

Having a pedicel or stalk.

Peduncle

The stalk or stem of an inflorescence.

Pendulous

Drooping, hanging downward, suspended.

Perennial

Growing more than 2 years; completing several reproductive cycles.

Perfect

Flowers having both stamen and pistils (carpels).

Pericarp

The ripened ovary wall after it becomes a fruit.

Persistent

Remaining attached, either after other parts have been shed or for a considerable period.

Petiole

Stalk of a leaf blade.

Pilose

Long, soft hairs that are typically straight.

Phytomere

The basic unit of structure of the grass shoot, an internode together with the leaf and portion of the node at the upper end and a bud and portion of the node at the lower end.

Pinnate

Having two rows of lateral divisions along the main axis.

Pistil

Seed producing structure of a flower with ovary, style and stigma.

Pistillate

Applied to spikelets bearing female parts only and to an inflorescence or a plant with female flowers.

Pithy

Spongy; e.g., culm of Saccharum.

Pitted (pit)

Marked with small depressions or pits.

Plano-convex

Flat on one side and convex on the other.

Playa

A dried up lake basin.

Plumbeous

Lead-colored.

Plumose

Feathery in appearance, having fine hairs on each side.

Polyploid

Having the two or more times the basic chromosomal complement.

Primary Branch

Any branch arising from the main axis; all branches that come from the central axis of a grass inflorescence.

Primary Unilateral Branch

Any branch that originates from the central or main axis of a panicle inflorescence with spikelets along one side or what appears to be one side.

Prophyll

First leaf of a lateral branch; a sheath with 2 veins.

Prostrate

Lying flat on the ground.

Puberulent

Minutely pubescent.

Pubescent

Covered with short, soft hairs.

Pulvini

A swelling at the base of a leaf or a branch of the inflorescence.

Punctate

Covered with glandular dots, pits, or depressions.

Pungent

A sharp point; an acrid taste.

Pyramidal

Triangular in outline; shaped like a pyramid.