Paspalum imbricatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 80–105 cm long. Culm-nodes constricted. Leaf-sheaths outer margin glabrous, or hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3 mm long; brown; ciliate from base of abaxial surface; truncate. Leaf-blades 20–40 cm long; 3–5 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; with simple hairs, or tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 3–6; digitate; unilateral; 6–10 cm long. Rhachis broadly winged; 2–3 mm wide; glabrous on margins; terminating in a barren extension; extension flattened. Spikelet packing abaxial; crowded; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 0.5–1 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; with cordate base; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; subacute; 5–6 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; auriculate at base; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; winged on margins; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 7 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 3.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma surface smooth; puberulous. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate. Palea keels puberulous.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Filguieras 1995.

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