Paspalum erectum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 100 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; ciliate from base of abaxial surface; lacerate. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 15–30 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–5; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 4.5–8 cm long. Rhachis 1 mm wide. Spikelet packing crowded.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2.8 mm long; 2 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; pallid, or purple; without keels. Upper glume surface papillose.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; pallid, or purple; papillose. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.8 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Nov Gal 1997.

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