Paspalum arsenei

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 100–180 cm long; without nodal roots, or rooting from lower nodes. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–4 mm long; brown. Leaf-blades 15–25 cm long; 8–12 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 4–10; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–6(–12) cm long. Rhachis narrowly winged; 1.2–1.4 mm wide.

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, or subacute; 2.6–3.5 mm long; 1.6–2 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface pubescent.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; pubescent. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5–3.3 mm long; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

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