Agrostis densiflora

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending; 15–60 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–4 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface; truncate. Leaf-blades 5–10 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; continuous, or interrupted; 2–8 cm long; 0.5–1 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume apex acute, or acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 2.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins extending close to apex. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.66–0.75 way up back of lemma; straight; 0–2 mm long overall. Palea 0.25–0.33 length of lemma; hyaline.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.75–1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA.

NOTES Aveneae. Man US Gr 1994.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.