Paspalum reptatum

HABIT Perennial. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms decumbent; 30–100 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths loose; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–10 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous to pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–3; paired, or digitate; spreading, or deflexed; unilateral; 1–4 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5–2 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular. Spikelet packing abaxial.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 1.6–1.7 mm long; 1.2 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; yellow; without keels; 2–3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; yellow; 2–3 -veined; without midvein, or with evident midvein; pubescent; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.4–1.5 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse; pubescent. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

CLEISTOGENES AND VIVIPARY Cleistogenes present; in lower sheaths.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Caribbean.

NOTES Paniceae. Chase 1994.

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