Muhlenbergia maxima

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms 100–130 cm long. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; keeled. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or revolute; 30–40 cm long; 3–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 30–50 cm long; 3–4.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed; bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2.5–2.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2.5–2.8 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; flexuous; 5–6 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gr Peru 1997.

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