Paspalum forsterianum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 40–50 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 7–20 cm long; 5–13 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–6; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 4–6 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–6 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular; 1 mm wide. Spikelet packing irregular; 3–4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels unequal; 0.5 mm long, or 1.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 2.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume oblong; 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 similar to upper glume; oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; gibbous; 2.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Pacific: southwestern and south-central.

NOTES Paniceae. WDC 1993.

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