Paspalum expansum

HABIT Annual. Culms decumbent; 20–30 cm long. Leaf-sheaths hirsute; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 4–8 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; hairy on both sides; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; unilateral; 1.5–2.5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1.5–2 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular; 1 mm wide.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate, or rhomboid; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume obovate; 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 elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma orbicular; 1.5 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.