Muhlenbergia stricta

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 100–150 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths keeled; pubescent. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades involute; 25–50 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong, or ovate; effuse; 15–50 cm long. Primary panicle branches whorled at most nodes; 5–10 cm long. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels flexuous; 1–10 mm long; scaberulous; tip widened.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2.5–3.6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate, or elliptic; 0.8–1.5 mm long; 0.33–0.4 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous; rough above. Lower glume apex acute; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate, or elliptic; 2.5–3.6 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous; rough above. Upper glume apex acute; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0.5–1.2 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; 2.5–3.6 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; pubescent; hairy at base. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 5–15 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1.1–1.6 mm long.

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.