Paspalum longicuspe

HABIT Perennial. Culms prostrate; 100–150 cm long; spongy; rooting from lower nodes. Leaf-sheaths inflated. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3 mm long; brown. Leaf-blades 6–16 cm long; 6–12 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; 30–80; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 2–4 cm long. Central inflorescence axis 5–12 cm long. Rhachis deciduous from axis; broadly winged; foliaceous; folded longitudinally to embrace spikelets; 2–2.5 mm wide; scabrous on margins; terminating in a barren extension; extension flattened; extension 10–15 mm long. Spikelet packing abaxial; regular; 1 -rowed. Raceme-bases linear; 2–5 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; dorsally compressed; plano-convex; acuminate; 2.2–2.6 mm long; 1.1 mm wide; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

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

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; elliptic; 1 length of spikelet; hyaline; mid-green and red (at base). Fertile lemma elliptic; 2 mm long; indurate; pallid; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. 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.