These are annuals or perennials. The spikelets are plano-convex, orbicular to oblong, obtuse, secund, 2-ranked on the flattened or triquetrous rachis of the spike-like branches of a raceme, one-flowered and falling off entire from the very short or obscure pedicels. There are three glumes, all more or less equal and similar. The first and the second glumes are membranous, alike and as long as the third, the second glume is usually epaleate and occasionally with a minute palea. The third glume is chartaceous to sub-coriaceous and paleate. Lodicules are two and small. Stamens are three. The styles are slender and distinct with plumose stigmas exserted at the top of the spikelet. Grain is tightly enclosed in the third glume and its palea.
Fig. 69.—Paspalum scrobiculatum.
Paspalum scrobiculatum, L.
This is an annual grass, with stems tufted on very short rhizomes, erect or very shortly bent at base, glabrous, bifariously leafy and varying in height from 1 to 3 feet or more.
Leaf-sheaths are compressed, glabrous, loose, keeled, mouth hairy or not. The ligule is a short thin membrane. The nodes are glabrous.
The leaf-blade is linear-lanceolate, finely acuminate, keeled with a distinct midrib, and with very minutely serrulate margins, 6 to 18 inches by 1/12 to 1/3 inch.