Paspalum intermedium

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations flabellate. Culms robust; 120–180 cm long; 3–5 -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Leaf-sheaths keeled. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades conduplicate, or involute; 30–60 cm long; 8–15 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes few, or numerous; 13–73; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 15–35 cm long; with scattered hairs. Rhachis angular; with scattered hairs. Spikelet packing 4 -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; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2.2–2.3 mm long; 1.1–1.8 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; red; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; red; 5 -veined; with unevenly spaced veins (near margins); acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–2.7 mm long; 1–1.4 mm wide; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 1.8 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southeast USA. South America: northern 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.