Paspalum trianae

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms decumbent; 50–90 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 4–7 cm long; 4–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose. Leaf-blade apex abruptly acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2–5; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 3–5 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 2–5 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular; dark-coloured (purple). Spikelet packing abaxial; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 3–3.5 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 apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; smooth, or wrinkled; acute. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5–3 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America and western South America.

NOTES Paniceae. WDC 1995.

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