Nassella pungens

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 15–50 cm long; 5–10 -noded. Lateral branches ample. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 2–6 cm long; 1 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough abaxially; pubescent; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acuminate; pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; interrupted; 3–10 cm long; 1 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; subterete; 4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0.2–0.3 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 4 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma obovate; laterally compressed; 2 mm long; 1 mm wide; coriaceous; yellow, or light brown; keeled; lightly keeled. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn eccentric; flexuous; 12 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea membranous; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Parodi.

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