Muhlenbergia cleefii

HABIT Perennial; mat forming. Culms decumbent; 1–2 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or papillose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades erect, or ascending; 0.5–0.6 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation with 9–11 secondary veins. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; papillose; rough on both sides; puberulous; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex obtuse; hooded.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence comprising only a few spikelets; comprising (1–)2–3(–5) fertile spikelets.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.2–1.3 mm long; 0.33–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3 mm long; membranous; purple; shiny; keeled; lightly keeled; keeled below; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute, or acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn hooked; 0.2–0.3 mm long overall. Palea 2.5 mm long; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; 0.1 mm long; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1.3–1.5 mm long; purple.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; 2–2.5 mm long; light brown. Embryo 0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Laegaard 1996.

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