Paspalum, Linnaeus, 1759

Faried, Ahmed M., 2018, A taxonomic synopsis of the genus Paspalum (Poaceae) in Egypt, including the first record of Paspalum vaginatum for the flora, Phytotaxa 336 (2), pp. 171-180 : 172

Key to the species of Paspalum in Egypt

1. Caespitose without stolons; inflorescence racemosely-arranged, usually with at least 3 branches ................................................. 2

- Creeping stoloniferous perennial; inflorescence conjugate .............................................................................................................. 3

2. Perennial; culms often exceeding 100 cm; leaf blades linear, base truncate; racemes 3–5, borne along a central axis; margins of upper glume with a ciliate fringe ....................................................................................................................... Paspalum dilatatum

– Annual; culms up to 100 cm tall; leaf blades broadly lanceolate, base subcordate; racemes more than 5 to numerous, crowded in closely spaced oblong head; margins of upper glume without a ciliate fringe................................................ Paspalum racemosum

3. Upper glume sparsely pubescent on the back; lower glume well developed; mid-nerve of the lower lemma prominent .................. ............................................................................................................................................................................ Paspalum distichum

- Upper glume glabrous on the back; lower glume absent; mid-nerve of the lower lemma not prominent ....... Paspalum vaginatum