Oryzopsis contracta

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 25–50 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–6 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 4–20 cm long; 1–2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; 6–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2 -nate.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 5.5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 0.8 mm long; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 5.5–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous, or puberulous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 5.5–6 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or puberulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; dorsally compressed; 3 mm long; coriaceous; dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma hairs 0.5–1.5 mm long. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; with lobes 0.5 mm long; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; curved; 7–8 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Styles connate below.

FRUIT Caryopsis apex rostrate.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northwest USA.

NOTES Stipeae. Maze & Robson 2004.

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