Nassella duriuscula

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 40–75 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-nodes pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.8–1 mm long. Leaf-blades convolute; 2–15 cm long; 1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; pubescent; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; 10–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.5–1.5 mm long; pubescent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 13–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 2.3–5 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 13–18 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface puberulous; hairy on veins. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 12–17 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous; hairy on veins. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 8–8.7 mm long; coriaceous; dark brown; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent; hairy below. Lemma surface papillose; rough above. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex with a membranous corona and surmounted by a ring of hairs; with this appendage 0.5–1 mm long (plus hairs 0.5–1mm); awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 47–68 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 18–20 mm long; pubescent. Palea 1–1.5 mm long; 0.25 length of lemma; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 1 mm long. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong, or obovoid; 4 mm long. 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.