Paspalum riparium

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms 25–45 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 2.5–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous; hairless throughout, or except near base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–4; digitate; unilateral; 2–3 cm long. Rhachis 0.7–1 mm wide. Spikelet packing 2 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets orbicular; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 1.6–1.8 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume orbicular; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret orbicular; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; grey; 3 -veined; wrinkled; obtuse. Fertile lemma orbicular; 1.6–1.8 mm long; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America and Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Guiana 1995.

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