Paspalum langei

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–100 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 7–18 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or puberulous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–5; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 4–8 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 2–8 cm long. Rhachis wingless; flattened. Spikelet packing 4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2.2–2.6 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes two, or one to two the lower present in some spikelets; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 0.25–0.33 length of spikelet. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; glandular; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; glandular; 3 -veined; pubescent. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.2–2.6 mm long; indurate; light brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: south-central USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, and northern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Texas 1994.

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