Paspalum barbinode

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 80 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-nodes bearded. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 4–6 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–6; borne along a central axis; arcuate; unilateral; 3–7 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–8 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 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; 3 -veined. 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; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; 3 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: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Hackel 1995.

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