Paspalum compressifolium

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 38–57 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 17–30 cm long; 2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 3–4; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 3–6.5 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular; 0.5 mm wide; glabrous on surface.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; obtuse; 2.8 mm long; 1.8 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; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous.

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; wrinkled; glabrous. Fertile lemma ovate; 2.8 mm long; 1.8 mm wide; indurate; dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma margins involute; ciliolate; hairy above. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Sao Paulo 2004.

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