Paspalum planum

HABIT Perennial. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect; 80–150 cm long; 3 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long; acute. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 1–1.5 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless throughout, or except near base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–5; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–3 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–2 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.7–0.8 mm wide. Spikelet packing 4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 1 mm long, or 2 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 4–5 mm long; 2–2.5 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; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins prominent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; purple; 3 -veined; prominently veined; acuminate. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–3 mm long; indurate; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Hackel 1995.

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