Muhlenbergia grandis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms robust; 100–150 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent (below nodes). Leaf-sheaths keeled. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–6 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades 30–75 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; moderately hairy; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; equilateral, or nodding; 30–50 cm long; 4–5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–3 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 1.5–2.2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.4–2.2 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface smooth, or asperulous; glabrous, or puberulous. Lower glume apex entire, or erose; obtuse, or acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.4–2.2 mm long; 0.9–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous. Upper glume apex entire, or erose; obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 1.5–2.2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 10–20 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back; hairy below.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

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