Paspalum validum

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 150 cm long. Leaf-sheaths loose; 3–12 cm long; keeled; glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades 25–50 cm long; 10–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 18; borne along a central axis; appressed, or ascending; unilateral; 5–9 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 22 cm long. Rhachis angular; 0.7–0.8 mm wide; scabrous on margins.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong; 1–1.5 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or oblong; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 2.5–2.7 mm long; 1.5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume ovate; 0.9 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface pubescent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; glabrous. Fertile lemma ovate; 2.5 mm long; indurate; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Swallen 2004.

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