Paspalum flaccidum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 45–60 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths hirsute; outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; pubescent on abaxial surface; truncate. Leaf-blades filiform; 20–25 cm long; 0.75 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1–6; single, or paired, or digitate; unilateral; 3.75–5 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.5 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial.

Spikelets solitary, or in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 2–2.5 mm long; 1.6–1.8 mm wide; 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. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; 2–2.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma surface striate; pubescent; hairy at base. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Cat 1995.

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