Paspalum microstachyum J.Presl

• Region

  South America

• Country

  Brazil

• State/Province

  Maranhão

• County/Municipio

  Loreto Mun.

• Locality

  "Ilha de Balsas" region, between the Rios Balsas and Parnaíba. About 40 km south of Lorêto. Place called "Picada", about 100 m S of the creek, "Riacho da Picada".

• Elevation

  Alt. 250 m. (820 ft.)

• Coordinates

  -7.43, -45.12

• Distribution

  Map all specimens of this taxon

FLORA OP BRAZIL
STATE OF MARANHÀO
Paspalum microstachyum Presi
(det ,J.R •Swallen ,1964. )
Municipio de Loreto: “Ilha de Balsas” region, between the
Rios Balsas and Pamaiba. About 40 kn. south of LORfiTO.
Ca. 7° 26 ’S., 45° 7 'w. Place called Cicada*, about lOG a.
S of the creek, "Riacho da Pioada*. Alt. ca. 250 a«
Main vegetation types of region: (1) “chapada”, a semi-closed tree woodland (or
"cerradfio”) on flat tops & steep sides of plateaus» wa- ateep'hMly laad, and on
some areas of rolling or flat dry land; (2) “tabuleiro”, a semi-closed woodland,
or “cerradfto”, of different physiognomy & species composition, on tops of billy
or gently rolling land; (3) “mata”, a closed tropical forest of many tree species,
usually with palms, In flat stream valleys and In or alongside of brook ravines &
courses; (4) “caatinga”, a semi-open forest of few forest tree species on low
moist flat land and In narrow valleys between “tabuleiro”-covered hills; (5) “var-
j&o”, low moist flat land with scattered forest trees of one or a few species;
(6) “cocal”, thick groves of babagu palm on flat river plain of Bio Pamaiba and
some of its tributary streamsjyf ^JlUvegetatlon types completely deciduous during
dry season. All brooks Intermittent. Annual ground fires and cattle grazing in
all areas. Part of “tabuleiro’* cut over, forming treeless grassy areas; most
"mata” and much “caatinga” & “varjao” cultivated or abandoned, forming dense
secondary vegetation of low trees & tall shrubs (“capoeira”); some areas of
“chapada” with dense secondary vegetation (“earrasco”). Upland soils grayish,
tan, or light reddish brown silt or silty clay, very stony on slopes; lowland soils
mostly reddish brown to black silt loam, silty clay loam or clay loam, without
stones. Country rock horizontal light brown sandstone, exposed only on tops
of morros and on cliffs along the Bio Pamaiba.
This habitat: in tall forest on flat land along tributary
brook* Trees to 15 bu tall,with trunks to 30 ca. d.b.h
Almost continuous shade* Apparently littIs disturbs*
27 March 1962.
This l(# is a grass in a slight opening in this forest,
leg. George Eiten and Liene T. Eiten, no. 38$4
Distributed by the Instituto de Botánica, Sao Paulo
00895827