Paspalum stellatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 40–80 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades erect; filiform, or linear; involute; 8–25 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy adaxially; with tubercle-based hairs.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle tipped by a glumaceous appendage.

Racemes 1–2; single, or paired; unilateral; 2.5–12 cm long. Rhachis broadly winged; membranous; folded longitudinally to embrace spikelets; with rounded midrib; 5–7 mm wide; light-coloured (yellow and purple); terminating in a barren extension; extension subulate. Spikelet packing abaxial; crowded; regular; 2 -rowed. Raceme-bases brief; pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; compressed strongly; plano-convex; acute; 3 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus pilose.

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 pilose. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Basal sterile florets barren; without significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to upper glume; ovate; 1 length of spikelet; membranous; 2 -veined; ciliate on margins; bearing hairs 2–3 mm long; acute. Fertile lemma ovate; 2.3–2.5 mm long; indurate; without keel. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea involute; indurate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Paniceae. Fl Cat.

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