Stipa hieronymusii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms 15–25 cm long; 1 -noded. Leaf-sheaths 4–8 cm long; pubescent. Leaf-sheath oral hairs ciliate. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 7–25 cm long; 0.8 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acute; pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; terminal, or terminal and axillary; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; linear; 4–15 cm long. Panicle axis puberulous. Panicle branches puberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 17–22 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1.5–2 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 17–22 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; purple; without keels. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 17–22 mm long; membranous; with hyaline margins; purple; without keels. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 8–9 mm long; coriaceous; yellow; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; with lobes 1.5 mm long; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 18–25 mm long overall; with 10–15 mm long limb; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 10 mm long; plumose; with 5–6 mm long hairs. Palea 5 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 4.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Parodi 1997.

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