Paspalum burchellii

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 15–20 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2 mm long; obtuse, or acute. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 3.5–8 cm long; 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; densely hairy; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acuminate, or attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–6; borne along a central axis; arcuate; unilateral; 1–2.5 cm long. Rhachis broadly winged; foliaceous; folded longitudinally to embrace spikelets. Spikelet packing 2 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 1.2–1.4 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma oblong, or obovate; 1.2–1.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma surface papillose. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Renvoize 1995.

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