Paspalum denticulatum

HABIT Annual. Culms 50–90 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 17–26 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 10–12; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 1–3 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 9–10 cm long. Rhachis 0.7–0.8 mm wide; scabrous on margins; ciliate on margins. Rhachis hairs 3–4 mm long. Spikelet packing 2 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; subacute; 1.7–2.1 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 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous; rough on veins.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; scaberulous; rough on veins. Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.7–2.1 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: south-central USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Guiana 1995.

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