Paspalum sodiroanum

HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 40–50 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Culm-internodes elliptical in section. Lateral branches ample. Ligule an eciliate membrane; truncate. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 6–12 cm long; 10–15 mm wide; flaccid. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; 20–45; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2.5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 10–20 cm long. Rhachis broadly winged; foliaceous; 2 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; pubescent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; subacute; 2–2.5 mm long; 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; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 1 -veined; without lateral veins; obtuse. Fertile lemma oblong; 2–2.5 mm long; indurate; pallid, or yellow; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse, or acute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid. Embryo 0.5 length of caryopsis. Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Hackel 1995.

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