Muhlenbergia elongata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 40–70 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; antrorsely scabrous; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5 mm long; acute. Leaf-blades filiform, or linear; involute; 20–30 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted, or spiciform; linear; nodding; 20–35 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–2.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface smooth, or asperulous; rough above. Lower glume apex acuminate, or setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 2–2.5 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous; rough above. Upper glume apex acuminate, or setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn flexuous; 15–30 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA and Mexico.

NOTES Eragrostideae. N Amer Fl 1994.

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