Paspalum tenellum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rootstock evident. Culms 15–160 cm long. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long; brown. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 10–25 cm long; 10–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent. Leaf-blade apex acute, or acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 5–10; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–8 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 2.5–21 cm long. Rhachis wingless; 1 mm wide. Spikelet packing crowded; regular; 4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; 1.9–2.1 mm long; 1.2–1.3 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 0.66–1 length of spikelet; membranous; mid-green and purple (blotched); without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pilose; with tubercle-based hairs.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; mid-green and purple (blotched); 3 -veined; pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.7–2 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana and Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

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