Paspalum pygmaeum

HABIT Annual; mat forming. Culms decumbent; 2–6 cm long. Leaf-sheaths hirsute. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 1–2 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–3; paired, or borne along a central axis; unilateral; 0.5–1 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5–1 cm long. Rhachis deciduous from axis; narrowly winged; glabrous on surface; terminating in a barren extension; extension flattened. Spikelet packing abaxial.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; 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. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: northern South America, western South America, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Peru 1995.

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