Paspalum modestum

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 20–40 cm long; 3–5 mm diam.; rooting from lower nodes. Culm-internodes 4–10 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 6–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade midrib conspicuous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–5; paired, or digitate; unilateral; 2.5–12 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 2–5 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular; 1–2 mm wide. Spikelet packing 2–4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; subacute; 2.6–3 mm long; 1.2–1.6 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. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; smooth, or wrinkled; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.3–2.8 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ovoid; 2 mm long. Embryo 0.3 length of caryopsis. Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION North America: south-central USA and southeast USA. South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Entre Rios 1995.

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