This work had the objective to evaluate the morphological development of the Paspalum dilatatum Poir. biotype Virasoro, having as witness the tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), winter and exotic species. The shoots were harvested for twelve times (December/00 to November/01) from the plants cultivated in the field. The virasoro was characterized for its stem architecture, early and long flowering, and for the stabilization of the tillering during autumn and winter, with accentuated increase of this process in the spring. The tall fescue showed foliar architecture, late and short flowering and constant tillering. Both of them are caespitose and rhizomatous plant; the plant of virasoro is open in the middle, where the dead material is located, whereas the tall fescue is closed with the dead material located around the plant. The virasoro allocated more proportional quantity of biomass in the inflorescences and culms comparing to the tall fescue. This biotype is typically warmer, but with excellent tolerance to frost and vegetating strongly with the increase of the temperatures.
habit; phenology
