Stipa coroi

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–60 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-nodes purple. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; smooth, or scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–4 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 5–25 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 7–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; whorled at most nodes. Panicle axis smooth, or scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 5.5–7.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 0.3–0.5 mm long; glabrous, or pubescent; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 5.5–7.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 5.3–7.2 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 3–4.5 mm long; coriaceous; light brown; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn flexuous; 40–80 mm long overall. Palea 2.2–2.5 mm long; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface puberulous; hairy on back.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; 1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; lanceolate; 2–2.2 mm long. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Rojas 2004.

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