Paspalum eucomum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 50–80 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; unilateral; 5–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular; 1.5–2.5 mm wide; dark-coloured (purple); terminating in a barren extension; extension flattened.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; acute; 2.5 mm long; with hairs extending 2 mm beyond apex; 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; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface villous. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume hairs 2 mm long. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; with thickened veins; pilose; ciliate on margins; bearing hairs 1 mm long; acute. Fertile lemma obovate; 2 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. WDC 1995.

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