Nassella hirtifolia

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–70 cm long. Culm-internodes scaberulous. Leaf-sheaths puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 5–15 cm long; 2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 8–12 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels pubescent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 9–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 0.5–1 mm long; bearded; obtuse. Floret callus hairs 0.33 length of lemma.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; asymmetrical; laterally compressed; 3.7–5 mm long; coriaceous; shiny; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn eccentric; geniculate; 20–35 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Column of lemma awn pubescent. Palea 1.5 mm long; 0.5 length of lemma; hyaline; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; linear, or oblanceolate; 1.5 mm long. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Matthei 1996.

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