Aristida circinalis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 40–70 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 10–20 cm long; 2–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; nodding; 10–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 7–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 7–9 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous. Lower glume apex acute; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume linear; 7–9 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous. Upper glume apex acute; muticous, or mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 6.5–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn with 15–25 mm long limb. Lateral lemma awns subequal to principal.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Aristideae. Gr Peru 1995.

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