Aristida mendocina

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 100–200 cm long; 2–6 -noded. Lateral branches sparse. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades curled; flat, or convolute; 1–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 10–30 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 7–11 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 7–11 mm long; 2–2.3 length of upper glume; membranous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume linear; 3–5 mm long; membranous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 7–11 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; rough above. Lemma margins involute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; with 17–30 mm long limb. Lateral lemma awns 14–27 mm long; subequal to principal.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; without sulcus; dark brown.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America and southern South America.

NOTES Aristideae. Fl Pat 1995.

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