Muhlenbergia purpusii

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; without keel; antrorsely scabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate, or pyramidal. Primary panicle branches 4–7 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2.3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 1 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 1 mm long; 0.4–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2.3 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 15 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Mez 2002.

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