Paspalum multinodum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 150–200 cm long; 10–13 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths keeled; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 15–38 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins smooth.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–6; digitate; unilateral; 3–8 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5–1 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; flattened; 2 mm wide; smooth on margins. Spikelet packing abaxial.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; 3.5 mm long; 1.5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; glabrous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 3 mm long; indurate; pallid, or yellow; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Paniceae. Simon 1995.

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