Paspalum scalare

HABIT Perennial. Rootstock evident. Culms slender; 25–60 cm long; wiry. Lateral branches ample. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades spreading; flat, or involute; 1.5–8 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1–2; single, or paired; unilateral; 1–5.5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 1–2 cm long. Rhachis flattened.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 1–1.5 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; 3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins obscure. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pilose. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 2 -veined; without midvein; glabrous, or pilose; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1–1.5 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Bahia 1995.

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