Paspalum dissectum

HABIT Perennial; mat forming. Culms decumbent, or prostrate; 5–50 cm long. Lateral branches ample. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 3–6 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–4; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 1–3 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 2–6 cm long. Rhachis broadly winged; foliaceous; 2–3 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; obtuse, or subacute; 1.8–2.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 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; oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; 1.8–2.2 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: north-central USA, northeast USA, south-central USA, and southeast USA. South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Texas 1994.

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