Paspalum crinitum

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–100 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–25 cm long; 4–8 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–11; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 6–12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 10–30 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged. Spikelet packing lax.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2.5–2.8 mm long; 1.3 mm wide; 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. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; glabrous, or pubescent. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–2.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

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