Nassella pampagrandensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–50 cm long; 0.75–1 mm diam. Culm-internodes smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; conduplicate; 20–25 cm long; 0.3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; linear; 10–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–2 -nate. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 7–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; 0.15 mm long; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; 1.3–1.4 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma obovate; subterete; gibbous; 1.75–2 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface papillose; glabrous. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn eccentric; geniculate; 48–78 mm long overall; with twisted column; deciduous. Palea 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America and southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Spegazzini 1995.

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