Muhlenbergia iridifolia

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 100–130 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths keeled; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–7 mm long. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 30–70 cm long; 4–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; nodding; 40–45 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 3.5–4 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.7–3.3 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate; mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0.5–0.8 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; 3.5–4 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 20–25 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: Mexico.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

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