Paspalum rufum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; robust; 100–180 cm long; 4–5 -noded. Culm-nodes constricted; black; glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long; brown; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 30–75 cm long; 6–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 9–20; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–11 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 12–20 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.5–0.9 mm wide. Spikelet packing 4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; unequal; 0.5–1.5 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or ovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 3.6–4.8 mm long; 1.5–1.9 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; light brown; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; light brown; 5 -veined; smooth; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; 3–3.6 mm long; 1.4–1.8 mm wide; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.8 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 2.2 mm long; dark brown. Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Entre Rios 1995.

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