Paspalum erianthum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 60–115 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades erect, or ascending; 10–25 cm long; 6–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 3–9; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 3–5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–12 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular; 1 mm wide. Spikelet packing irregular.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; compressed slightly; plano-convex; acute; 4–4.5 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 surface villous. Upper glume hairs white. Upper glume apex acute.

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; pilose; bearing white hairs; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; gibbous; 3.5–4 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Cat.

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