Stipa acrociliata

HABIT Perennial; culms solitary. Cataphylls evident. Rhizomes short; woody. Culms robust; 60–150 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes glaucous; distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–5 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–8 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 20–40 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 8–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 7–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1.5 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume oblong; 7–10 mm long; 1.2–1.3 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner above; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins all extending to apex. Lower glume margins ciliate. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 6–8 mm long; membranous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins all extending to apex. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 5–6 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel. Lemma surface papillose; pubescent. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; limb subterete below; 60–80 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 7–10 mm long; pubescent. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Styles free to the base.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl W Austral 1994.

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