Paspalum erianthum Nees ex Trin.

Paspalum erianthum Nees ; Trin. Gram. Pan. 121. 1826
I
Stems tufted, up to 1 m. tall or more, glabrous, simple, the nodes barbed; leaf -sheaths glabrous, or the basal ones pubescent, the lower firm and thick; blades up to 2 dm. long, 8-14 mm. wide, glabrous or hirsute flat; racemes 4-8, 2-7 cm. long, erect or ascending, the rachis 0.7-1 mm. wide; spikelets 3.5-4 mm. long, 1.3-1.5 mm. wide, elliptic, the first scale wanting, the second and third scales, especially the second scale, pubescent with very long white hairs, the second scale 3-5-nerved, the third 3-nerved, the fruiting scale yellowish-green, elliptic, acute, minutely roughened, shining.
Type locality : Brazil.
Distribution : Oaxaca to Panama ; also in tropical South America.