Paspalum fasciculatum* Willd. ex
Fluegge. Gram. Monogr., Paspalum 69 (1810).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily
Panicoideae. Paniceae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: J.C von Hoffmannsegg s.n., Brazil (B-W;
IT: BM, P, US-2855329 (fragm. ex B-W)). LT designated by Chase, Contr. U.S.
Natl. Herb. 28: 176 (1929).
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia.
Habit.
Perennial. Rhizomes absent. Stolons present. Culms decumbent, 100–300 cm tall,
5–7 mm diam., 4–10 -noded. Mid-culm internodes solid, glabrous. Mid-culm nodes
glabrous or pubescent. Lateral branches simple or sparsely branched.
Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface or hairy. Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule
an eciliate membrane, 0.3–0.7 mm long. Leaf-blades 20–70 cm long, 10–20 mm
wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, glabrous or indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle of racemes. Racemes 8–33, spreading, 7–16 cm
long, 1–1.4 mm wide, bearing 50–80 fertile spikelets on each. Central
inflorescence axis 5–11 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets 2-flowered, the lower floret barren
(rarely male), the upper fertile, comprising 1 basal sterile florets,
comprising 1 fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, ovate, dorsally
compressed, 3.5–4.6 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblate, 0 -nerved. Upper glume ovate,
3.5–4.4 mm long, hyaline or membranous, without keels, 3–5 -nerved. Upper glume
surface glabrous. Florets. Basal sterile florets 1, barren, without
significant palea. Lemma of lower sterile floret 100 % of length of spikelet,
membranous, 3–7 -nerved.
Fertile lemma 3.3–4.3
mm long, without keel. Anthers 3. Grain 2 mm long.
Continental Distribution:
Australasia and South America.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia.
Western Australia:
Gardner. Fortescue.
