Aristida jubata

HABIT Perennial. Culms 40–80 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheath oral hairs bearded. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.2 mm long. Collar glabrous. Leaf-blades straight; convolute; 25–30 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute; antrorsely scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open (patent); 20–40 cm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets subterete; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; straight; 1 mm long; pilose; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; dissimilar (lower shorter than upper). Lower glume lanceolate; 20–35 mm long; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume surface asperulous; rough generally. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 35–50 mm long; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface smooth. Upper glume apex entire; acuminate; awned.

FLORETS Fertile lemma subterete; (11–)14–16 mm long; without keel; rounded except near apex; 3 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous, or smooth (less frequent); rough above; without grooves. Lemma margins convolute. Lemma apex with outer margin prolonged as a hyaline appendage; with this appendage 1–1.5 mm long; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; ascending; simple at base; with (125–)150–230 mm long limb; without a column. Lateral lemma awns ascending; (125–)150–230 mm long; subequal to principal.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Aristideae. LO-W 1993.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Culms grouped in fascicles.

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