Paspalum, Linnaeus, 1759

Moura, Clapton Olimpio De, Viana, Pedro Lage & Oliveira, Regina Célia, 2018, A new species of Paspalum (Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paspaleae-Recta group), from the cangas of the Serra dos Carajás, Pará, Brazil, Phytotaxa 357 (3), pp. 213-219 : 217

Key separating the new species from other putatively related groups in the genus Paspalum

1. Culms of different lengths freely branching at the base; glume and sterile lemma thin, usually breaking up and/or with hyaline portion................................................................................................................................................... Paspalum “Parviflora” group.

- Culms of similar lengths without branching at the base; glume and sterile lemma strong, not breaking up and without hyaline portion................................................................................................................................................................................................2.

2. Synflorescences with 2 racemes conjugate or nearly conjugate at the summit of the culm, rarely with more 1 or 2 below............... ................................................................................................................................................................... Paspalum “Notata” group.

- Synflorescences with one or many racemes not conjugated.............................................................................................................3.

3. Spikelets paired .............................................. Paspalum “Caespitosa ” and “Recta” (except species with solitary spikelets) groups.

- Spikelets solitary...............................................................................................................................................................................4.

4. Lower lemma with 2 nerves and with a V shaped scar ....................................................... Paspalum minarum Hackel (1901: 235) .

- Lower lemma with 3–5 nerves and without a V shaped scar ................................................................ 5 ( Paspalum “Recta” group).

5. Culms 45–70 cm height; racemes 2–5, the proximal ones 2.5–5.5 cm long; pedicels 0.5–1 mm long; spikelets 2.3–2.8 mm long... ................................................................................................................................................................................. P. brachytrichum .

- Culms 90–140 cm height; racemes 8–23, the proximal ones 7–10.7 cm long; pedicels 0.8–1.5 mm long; spikelets 1.9–2.2 mm long.................................................................................................................................................................................. P. cangarum .