Paspalum haumanii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes short. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect; robust; 250–300 cm long; 8–10 mm diam.; 5–6 -noded. Culm-internodes hollow. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaves without demarcation between sheath and blade. Leaf-sheaths 70–80 cm long; without keel; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 100–150 cm long; 12–14 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; 60–100; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 4–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 20–60 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular; 1–1.5 mm wide. Spikelet packing irregular; 4–6 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; acute; 3.5–4 mm long; 1.4–1.5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–4 mm long; 1.4–1.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; red; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 3.5–4 mm long; 1.4–1.6 length of fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; red; 3 -veined; pubescent. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5 mm long; indurate; pallid, or yellow; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface punctate. 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 Entre Rios 2000.

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