Studies in the genus Paspalum (paniceae, poaceae) in Europe — 1. Paspalum distichum subsp. Paucispicatum, an overlooked taxon in France

Verloove, F. & Reynders, M.: Studies in the genus Paspalum (Paniceae, Poaceae) in Europe — 1. Paspalum distichum subsp. paucispicatum, an overlooked taxon in France. — Willdenowia 37: 199–204. — ISSN 0511-9618; © 2007 BGBM Berlin-Dahlem. doi:10.3372/wi.37.37109 (available via http://dx.doi.org/) The present paper reports about the naturalization of the Mexican grass species Paspalum paucispicatum in the Loire valley in France. The species has long been confused with and erroneously referred to as P. dilatatum, P. distichum, P. longipilum or P. pubiflorum. A revision of several relevant herbaria enabled us to reconstruct the species' invasion history in France. Main diacritic features are given and an identification key for Paspalum in France is presented. P. paucispicatum, of a debated taxonomic rank in its area of origin but clearly delimited in France, is probably better treated as a subspecies of P. distichum; hence the new combination at subspecific level is validated.