Paspalum trichostomum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 60–70 cm long; 3 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheath oral hairs bearded. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 20–30 cm long; 5–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 3–5; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 3–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 3–12 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing irregular; 4 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 3 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; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3–5 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; 3 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Hackel 1995.

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