Paspalum lachneum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 30–45 cm long; 3–7 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes bearded. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface, or hirsute; outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 3–4 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; hairy adaxially, or on both sides. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1–2; single, or paired; unilateral; 6–13 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1.5–2 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.5–0.7 mm wide; pubescent on margins.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels unequal; 0.5–1 mm long, or 1–1.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2.2–3 mm long; 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. Upper glume surface villous; hairy generally, or above; with tubercle-based hairs. Upper glume hairs white; 2–2.5 mm long.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; villous; with tubercle-based hairs; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.2–3 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 0.3–0.4 mm long. Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long; purple.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Rug & Nic 1997.

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