Nassella linearifolia

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 50–60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches ample; arising from lower culm. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long; white. Leaf-blades involute; 5–17 cm long; 2–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle 6–12 cm long.

Panicle open; ovate; 8–17 cm long. Primary panicle branches 2 -nate; 4–6 cm long. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; subterete; 4.2–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 4.2–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 4.2–5 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma obovate; laterally compressed; 2.8–3 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface asperulous; pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 13–15 mm long overall; with twisted column; deciduous. Column of lemma awn puberulous. Palea 1 length of lemma; membranous; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 1; 0.5 mm long; retained within floret.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana and western South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Costaric 1994.

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