Paspalum almum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 25–50 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins tuberculate-ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 2(–3); paired; unilateral; 4–9 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 0.5–1.5 cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; flattened; 1 mm wide. Spikelet packing abaxial; 3 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate, or obovate; dorsally compressed; subacute; 2.9–3.4 mm long; 1.8–2 mm wide; 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 -veined. 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; 3 -veined; obtuse. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.9–3.4 mm long; indurate; yellow; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: south-central USA. South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Gr Texas 1994.

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