Paspalum atratum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; robust; 100–150 cm long. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 35–65 cm long; 7–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 10–16; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 3–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 10–25 cm long. Rhachis 0.75–1 mm wide. Spikelet packing 4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2–3 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.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; wrinkled. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–3 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Bolivia 1997.

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