Paspalum cordatum

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 100 cm long; 5 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; truncate. Leaf-blades 30–40 cm long; 4–8 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–6; digitate; unilateral; 10–12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5–1 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular; 1.5 mm wide; terminating in a barren extension; extension flattened, or subulate; extension 3–5 mm long. Spikelet packing abaxial; crowded; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; with cordate base; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 5 mm long; 3 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; auriculate at base; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; winged on margins; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret oblong; 0.75 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; tuberculate on margins; setose on margins; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; 3.5–4 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute; ciliolate; hairy above. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.8 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America and Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Hackel 1995.

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