Stipa iberica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 35–50 cm long; 4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–6 mm long; 1–3 mm long on basal shoots; acuminate. Leaf-blades filiform; conduplicate; 0.5 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; puberulous; densely hairy; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 3–8 fertile spikelets.

Panicle contracted; bearing few spikelets. Panicle branches pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 30–40 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 30–40 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 19–21 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy in lines. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 300 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb hirsute. Middle segment of lemma awn 18–25 mm long; puberulous. Column of lemma awn 45–65 mm long. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern.

NOTES Stipeae. Martinovsky 1995.

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