IDENTIFICATION OF THE SPECIES IN THE PANICUM CAPILLARE COMPLEX (POACEAE) FROM EASTERN CANADA AND ADJACENT NEW-YORK-STATE

The Panicum capillare complex was examined in eastern Canada and New Y ork State, United States. Uniform cultivation indicated distinctive gr owth habits for the five species. Univariate analysis of various morph ological characters indicated some that were useful in species identif ication, especially when expressed as ratios. Discriminant function an alysis of 4 floret characters in 128 samples and 13 morphological char acters (including the 4 floret characters) in 48 samples indicated tha t floret characters, especially those related to overall size and shap e (area and perimeter), were most informative. Various ecological and morphological characters useful for identification of the species are discussed. A key to the species is presented.