Pappophorum hassleri

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 40–50 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades 7–15 cm long; 3–4 mm wide.

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

Panicle contracted; lanceolate, or elliptic; 5–8 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 8–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 7–8 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex dentate; 2 -fid; mucronate. Upper glume elliptic; 8–9 mm long; 3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex dentate; 2 -fid; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 9 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate; hairy below. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex awned; 18–22 -awned. Principal lemma awn 8–12 mm long overall. Lateral lemma awns of irregular length. Apical sterile florets 2 in number; barren; in a clump; rudimentary. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 18–22 -awned.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Pappophoreae. WDC 1993.

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