Paspalum exaltatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 100–250 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 15–60 cm long; 3–12 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 10–44; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–10 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 15–20 cm long. Rhachis wingless; angular; 0.5–0.6 mm wide. Spikelet packing irregular; 6–10 -rowed.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; acute; 3–4 mm long; 1.5–1.7 mm wide; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 3 -veined; pubescent on margins. Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5–2.9 mm long; 1.4–1.6 mm wide; indurate; pallid; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Palea involute; indurate.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia. South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Entre Rios 1995.

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