Paspalum ionanthum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms geniculately ascending; 15–40 cm long; 1 -noded. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 5–8 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; unilateral; 3–5.5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.8 mm wide; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing adaxial.

Spikelets solitary. 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; 3.4–3.7 mm long; 1.5 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; 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; 5 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 3.4–3.7 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Chase 1995.

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