Aristida trachyantha

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 35 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode. Leaf-sheath oral hairs bearded. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Collar pilose. Leaf-blades convolute; 1–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 15–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 13–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 8–9.5 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume linear; 13–15 mm long; membranous. Upper glume apex dentate; 2 -fid; acute; muticous, or mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 10–12 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 35–37 mm long limb. Lateral lemma awns 35–37 mm long; subequal to principal.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Aristideae. Fl Pat 1995.

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