Paspalum delavayi

HABIT Perennial. Cataphylls evident. Rhizomes short. Butt sheaths pubescent; persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms 70–80 cm long; 4–5 -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths keeled; glabrous on surface, or hirsute. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–4 mm long; entire, or lacerate; truncate. Leaf-blades erect; 5–10 cm long; 3–4 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–3; paired, or borne along a central axis; ascending, or spreading; unilateral; 2.5–4 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–5 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular; 2 mm wide; scabrous on margins; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing 2–3 -rowed. Raceme-bases brief; pilose; hairy at base.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate, or obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; acuminate; 3 mm long; 1.8–2 mm wide; 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; light green; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; light green; 3 -veined. Fertile lemma ovate; gibbous; 2.5 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface punctate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Paniceae. Henr 1996.

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