Paspalum longipilum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Leaf-sheaths keeled; hirsute. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long. Leaf-blades erect; conduplicate; 15–20 cm long; 7–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–4; borne along a central axis; ascending, or spreading; unilateral; 5–7 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; flattened. Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 2.75 mm long; 2.25 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.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.75 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface papillose. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northeast USA, south-central USA, and southeast USA.

NOTES Paniceae. Nash 2004.

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