Paspalum guenoarum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes absent, or short. Culms 80–200 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long. Leaf-blades 20–40 cm long; 6–18 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 3–13; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 7–17 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing 2–4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 1 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 3–3.5 mm long; 2–2.5 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; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret obovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3–5 -veined; wrinkled; obtuse. Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Entre Rios 1995.

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