Muhlenbergia reverchonii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 40–80 cm long. Leaf-sheaths without keel; scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–4(–9) mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades curved; filiform; involute; 8–35 cm long; 1–2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 10–20(–30) cm long; 4–10(–15) cm wide. Primary panicle branches 3–8(–10) cm long. Panicle branches stiff.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 3.5–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture. Lower glume lanceolate; 1–2.5(–3) mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; light brown; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1–2.5(–3) mm long; 0.3–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; light brown; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute; muticous, or mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2–2.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface smooth to scabrous. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 0.5–3(–6) mm long overall. Palea 0.8–0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform.

DISTRIBUTION North America: north-central USA and south-central USA.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Gould.

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