Paspalum nanum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; slender; 15–40 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths pubescent; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 3–13 cm long; 3–4.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; straight, or arcuate; unilateral; 1.5–4 cm long. Rhachis wingless; semiterete. Spikelet packing abaxial.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; acute; 2.4–2.8 mm long; 1.4–1.8 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; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface wrinkled. Upper glume apex acute.

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; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2 mm long; 1.2 mm wide; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Paniceae. Chase 1994.

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