Paspalum approximatum

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–90 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths without keel; glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; truncate. Leaf-blades filiform; 10–20 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; unilateral; 2.5–4 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0 cm long. Rhachis angular.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2.25–2.5 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; 2 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; wrinkled. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.2–2.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Mez 1997.

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