Aristida mandoniana

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 45–60 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Collar glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 25–45 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong; 9–24 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 9.5–13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; bearded; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 9.5–13 mm long; 1–1.05 length of upper glume; membranous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 9.5–13 mm long; membranous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 7–8.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; with 15–20 mm long limb; with twisted column; persistent. Column of lemma awn 3–5 mm long. Lateral lemma awns 15–20 mm long; subequal to principal.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Aristideae. Gr Bolivia 1997.

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