Nassella coquimbensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–50 cm long; 3 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2–0.5 mm long on basal shoots. Leaf-blades convolute; 4–10 cm long; 0.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

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

Panicle open; linear; 8–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 5–20 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 23 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; curved; 2.5–3 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 23 mm long; 1.2 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 19 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 10 mm long; coriaceous; light brown; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent; hairy below. Lemma surface asperulous. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; with this appendage 1–1.5 mm long; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 45–50 mm long overall; with twisted column; deciduous. Column of lemma awn 13 mm long; plumose. Palea 3 mm long; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; 0.5 mm long. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Matthei 1995.

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