Paspalum apiculatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–40 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 3–8 cm long; 3–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; densely hairy; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1–3; single, or paired, or borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–4 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5–2 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 1.7–2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; glabrous, or pilose; with tubercle-based hairs; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.7–2 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America and Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. WDC 1995.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.