Panicum plicatulum (Michaux) Kuntze.

Perennial. Culms tufted, erect or ascending, usually compressed, 30–150 cm tall. Leaf sheaths longer than internodes, keeled, glabrous or pubescent at base; leaf blades linear, usually folded at base, flat above, 10–50 × 0.3–1 cm, adaxial surface pilose at base and mouth, apex acuminate; ligule 1–2 mm. Inflorescence axis 3–15 cm; racemes 3–10, 5–8 cm, laxly ascending to spreading, axils pilose; spikelets paired; rachis 0.75–1 mm wide. Spikelets brown at maturity, obovate, 2–3 mm, subacute to obtuse; upper glume membranous, 5-veined, glabrous or sometimes appressed-pubescent; lower lemma membranous, 3–5-veined, glabrous, with short transverse wrinkles just inside the slightly raised margin; upper lemma deep brown, strongly convex dorsally, subequaling spikelet, smooth, shiny. Fl. and fr. summer–autumn. 2n = 20, 40, 60.

"Paspalum plicatum Persoon" (Syn. Pl. 1: 86. 1805) is merely an orthographical variant of P. plicatulum.

This species is used for fodder.

Cultivated in Gansu [native to tropical and subtropical America].