Paspalum regnellii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Basal innovations extravaginal, or intravaginal. Culms robust; 100–150 cm long; 3–5 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; keeled; puberulous; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades 20–40 cm long; 10–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy adaxially; with tubercle-based hairs. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 6–20; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 6–10 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular. Spikelet packing 4 -rowed. Raceme-bases hirsute.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 2–2.5 mm long; 1.5–1.8 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; dark brown; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins obscure. Upper glume surface pubescent. 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; light brown, or purple; 5 -veined; puberulous; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–2.5 mm long; indurate; light brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia. South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Barreto 2000.

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