Aristida hackelii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 20–30 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades involute; 4–7 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear, or oblong; 6–10 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.5 length of fertile spikelet; scabrous; tip widened.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 13–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 1 mm long; pubescent; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 13–14 mm long; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough above. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume linear; 12 mm long; membranous; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein smooth. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 8–9 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3-branched; with 35–40 mm long limb; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 4 mm long. Lateral lemma awns 35–40 mm long; subequal to principal.

FLOWER Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; without sulcus. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Aristideae. Henrard 1995.

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