Pappophorum mucronulatum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–60(–90) cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 10–30 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

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

Panicle contracted; linear; 12–28 cm long; 1–1.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed, or ascending; 2–3.5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–5 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 lanceolate; 3–4.5 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3.5–5 mm long; 1.6–2.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1.5–3 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex awned; 12–15 -awned. Principal lemma awn 4–7 mm long overall; 1.5–2 length of lemma. Lateral lemma awns of irregular length. Apical sterile florets 1–2 in number; barren; in a clump; rudimentary. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 12–15 -awned.

FRUIT Caryopsis 2–2.5 mm long. Embryo 0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Mesoamericana, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America.

NOTES Pappophoreae. Gr Bahia 1993.

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