Oryzopsis hendersonii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 10–30 cm long. Culm-internodes solid; antrorsely scabrous. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface; truncate. Leaf-blades involute; 5–10 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

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

Panicle open; lanceolate; 4–12 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2–8 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; dorsally compressed; 3.8–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 3.5–5.5 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 3.8–6 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; dorsally compressed; 3.8–6 mm long; coriaceous; dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 6–10 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea 1 length of lemma; coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 2 mm long; purple.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northwest USA.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Pac NW 1994.

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