Paspalum batianoffii

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Culms decumbent; 20–40 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 8–16 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins smooth; tuberculate-ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–3; paired, or digitate; unilateral; 6–9 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1.5–2.5 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; flattened; 2 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.5 mm long; smooth.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 4.5 mm long; 1.5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 4.5 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; cartilaginous; without keels; 2 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 4.2 mm long; 1 length of spikelet; cartilaginous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; gibbous; 4 mm long; coriaceous; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; coriaceous.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Paniceae. Simon 1997.

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