Paspalum curassavicum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rootstock evident. Stolons present. Culms 30–40 cm long. Lateral branches ample; arising from mid culm. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 4–12 cm long; 2.5–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 2; paired; erect; unilateral; 3–3.5 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; 0.7 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.2–2.4 mm long; 1.1 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume lanceolate, or ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic, or ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; 2 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Paniceae. Chase 2001.

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