Muhlenbergia macroura

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 100–200 cm long. Leaf-sheaths without keel. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 10–25 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 20–50 cm long; 1–5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 15–40 cm long; 0.5–1.2 cm wide.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; 1.1–1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3.6–4.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex acuminate; muticous. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

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