Paspalum durifolium

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect; 150–200 cm long; 3 -noded. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–2.5 mm long; brown. Leaf-blade base tapering to the midrib. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 30–50 cm long; 5–7 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 10–20; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 12–20 cm long. Rhachis angular.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 3–3.5 mm long; 1.5 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; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; puberulous; ciliate on margins; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5–2.8 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Baretto 1995.

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