Paspalum plicatulum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–120 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 15–30 cm long; 2–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–7; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–15 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–15 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular; 1 mm wide. Spikelet packing irregular; 2–4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 2.3–3.2 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or puberulous. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; thicker on margins; 5 -veined; wrinkled; glabrous, or puberulous; obtuse. Fertile lemma ovate; gibbous; 2–3 mm long; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface granulose. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China. Asia-tropical: Papuasia. Australasia: Australia. North America: south-central USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Bahia.

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