Paspalum hirsutum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms slender; 20–40 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent, or pilose (tomentose). Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; hirsute. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long. Leaf-blade base simple. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 5–18 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; densely hairy; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle pubescent above (tomentose), or pilose above.

Racemes 2–4; paired, or digitate, or borne along a central axis; 2–3 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–2 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; flattened; 1.5 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial; regular; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels ciliate; with white hairs (soft).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic (broadly); dorsally compressed; subacute; 2–2.3 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume margins eciliate, or pubescent (minutely).

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic (broadly), or orbicular; 5–7 -veined; glabrous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic (broadly), or orbicular; cartilaginous; light brown; dull; without keel. Lemma surface finely striate and punctate. Lemma apex obtuse.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China and eastern Asia.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl China 2000.

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