Paspalum glaucescens

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 45–90 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blade base tapering to the midrib. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 15–25 cm long; 4–8 mm wide; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 3; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 5–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 5–10 cm long. Rhachis angular; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing lax; irregular; 3 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or 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 ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; purple; 5 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Hackel 1995.

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