Paspalum virgatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms robust; 100–200 cm long. Leaf-sheaths outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; lacerate. Leaf-blades 10–25 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins spinulose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 10–16; borne along a central axis; spreading, or drooping; unilateral; 7–15 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 15–30 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; angular. Spikelet packing 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; obtuse to subacute; 2.2–2.5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; orbicular; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; ciliolate on margins; obtuse. Fertile lemma orbicular; gibbous; 2.2–2.5 mm long; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: Malesia. Australasia: Australia. North America: south-central USA and Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Texas 1993.

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