Paspalum dasypleurum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms 60–80 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–5 mm long; brown. Leaf-blades 6–20 cm long; 3–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless except near base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 5–8; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 3–6 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 8 cm long. Rhachis wingless. Spikelet packing abaxial; 4 -rowed. Raceme-bases brief; pilose.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels unequal.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; acute; 2–2.8 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; glabrous, or puberulous; ciliate on margins; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic, or ovate; 2–2.8 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Pat 1995.

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