Paspalum formosum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms 80–100 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pilose; with tubercle-based hairs; inner surface glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–1.2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 18–49 cm long; 1–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 9–13; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 5.5–7.5 cm long. Rhachis 1 mm wide; scabrous on margins.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels ciliate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; subacute; 2.5–3 mm long; 1.1–2 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 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret obovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 5 -veined; wrinkled; glabrous. Fertile lemma obovate; 2.5–3 mm long; 1.1–2 mm wide; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface papillose. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Sao Paulo 2001.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Lower racemes longer, the inflorescence pyramidal.

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