Paspalum jimenezii

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 10–20 cm long; 0.5–1 mm diam. Culm-internodes hollow; distally glabrous. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths keeled; outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades 4.5–8 cm long; 4–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib prominent beneath. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 3–8; digitate; unilateral; 2–2.5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5 cm long. Rhachis wingless; flattened; 0.5 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.3–0.4 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; acute; 1.4–1.5 mm long; 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; 2 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 2 -veined; without midvein. Fertile lemma ovate; 1.4–1.5 mm long; coriaceous; pallid; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; coriaceous.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.6 mm long; indehiscent; red (pink).

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Costaric 1994.

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