SPI RELETS WITH HARDENED FRUITS 



71 



In Paspalum (Fig. 62) the spikelets are more like 

 those of Panicum in texture, and the margin of the 

 fertile lemma is firm and inrolled, as in that genus. 

 The first glume is wholly suppressed except in a few 

 species. The spikelets are subsessile in two rows on 

 one side of a rachis, either single (Figs. 62 and 63, A) 



two views of spikelet of Paspalum 

 , fertile floret; C, inflorescence. 



Fig. 63. A, rachis of 

 Paspalum lave, spike- 

 lets removed; B, ra- 

 chis of a Paspalum 

 with paired spikelets; 

 C, cross-section of 

 rachis, showing raised 

 center and thin mar- 

 gins. 



or in pairs (Fig. 63, B). [In descriptions these are 

 often referred to as 2-rowed or 4-rowed, respectively.] 

 In species with paired spikelets some of the secondary 

 ones (those next the center of the rachis) are always 

 abortive. The racemes in Paspalum are sometimes 

 solitary and sometimes digitate, as in Syntherisma, 



