Selection of morphological features for identification of Cynodon dactylon and C. transvaalensis

Thirteen morphological features of ten provenances of Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers.and two provenances of C.transvaalensis Burtt-Davy were analyzed and compared.The results showed that compared to C.dactylon,the leaf width of C.transvaalensis was narrower,inflorescence number was fewer,internode diameter was thinner,and its inflorescence length was shorter while spikelet longth was longer.There were significant differences in above five indexes between C.dactylon and C.transvaalensis.In addition,leaf,stolon and style color of C.transvaalensis was significant difference to that of C.dactylon.Therefore,the eight morphological features of leaf width,internode diameter,inflorescence number,inflorescence and spikelet length,and color of leaf,stolon and style,can be used as morphological indexes to distinguish this two species.