Paspalum bakeri

HABIT Perennial. Culms 20–55 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 2–10 cm long; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–4; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2.5–7 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–5 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular.

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; obtuse; 2 mm long; falling entire.

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

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; obovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; glabrous; obtuse. Fertile lemma obovate; widest at 0.66 of its length from base; 2 mm long; 1.1 mm wide; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean and northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Man Gr WI 1997.

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