Stipa bracteata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 75–135 cm long; 3 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pubescent (below nodes); with reflexed hairs. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 25–40 cm long; 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle tipped by a glumaceous appendage (4–6mm long).

Panicle open; elliptic; 35–42 cm long. Primary panicle branches 4–10 cm long.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 10–11 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; curved; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 10–11 mm long; 1.2 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–9 mm long; 1.4–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 5.5–6.5 mm long; coriaceous; dark brown; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 10–24 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Stipeae. Gr Baja Cal 1994.

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