Paspalum phyllorhachis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; robust; 35–70 cm long. Lateral branches sparse. Ligule an eciliate membrane; truncate. Collar pubescent. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded. Leaf-blades linear, or lanceolate; 6–12 cm long; 12 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 6–8; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 3–4 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 6–12 cm long. Rhachis broadly winged; membranous; 5 mm wide; dark-coloured (purple). Spikelet packing 4 -rowed. Raceme-bases brief; hirsute.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 2 mm long; 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; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; acute. Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface striate. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Hackel 1995.

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