Paspalum jesuiticum

HABIT Perennial. Stolons present. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms decumbent; 30–60 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-nodes black; glabrous. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; striately veined; pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 6–12 cm long; 6–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; sparsely hairy; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins undulate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 7–8; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 3–6 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 4–5 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular; 1.6–1.8 mm wide; with scattered hairs; glabrous on margins. Spikelet packing 4 -rowed. Raceme-bases pubescent.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.5 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2.8 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 ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; gibbous; 2.5 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface punctate. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; 0.4 mm long. Anthers 3; 1–1.4 mm long; yellow.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Parodi 1996.

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