Paspalum longipedicellatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Cataphylls evident. Rhizomes short. Basal innovations flabellate. Culms erect; 52–89 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths 14–20 cm long; mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; pubescent. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.9 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 30–38 cm long; 10–12 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–5; borne along a central axis; erect; unilateral; 5–16.5 cm long; 8 mm wide. Rhachis wingless; angular; with scattered hairs, or pilose on surface. Spikelet packing irregular; 2–4 -rowed. Raceme-bases glabrous, or pubescent.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels unequal; 1.2–4 mm long; ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 3.5 mm long; 2.5 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume obovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins obscure. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; obscurely veined; pilose; obtuse. Fertile lemma obovate; gibbous; 3.5 mm long; 2.5 mm wide; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 0.2 mm long. Anthers 3; 2.3 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Oliviera & Valls 2011.

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