Paspalum schultesii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 16–35 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 10–25 cm long. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2; paired; appressed, or ascending; unilateral; 1.5–3 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular. Spikelet packing abaxial.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1 mm long; ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; acute; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume primary vein absent. Upper glume lateral veins obscure.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without midvein; obscurely veined. Fertile lemma obovate; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Swallen 2004.

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