Stipa lemmonii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 10–70 cm long. Culm-internodes scaberulous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface to hirsute. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2.2 mm long; entire, or erose; obtuse. Leaf-blades involute; 10–20 cm long; 1.5–2.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 4–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 7–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; 0.5 mm long; pubescent; unequally 2-toothed.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–12 mm long; hyaline; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 5–7.5 mm long; 1.2 mm wide; coriaceous; light brown; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 18–29 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb limb glabrous, or puberulous. Middle segment of lemma awn pubescent. Column of lemma awn puberulous; with 0.5 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; 1.5 mm long. Anthers 3; 3–3.5 mm long; purple; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: western Canada, northwest USA, and southwest USA.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Pac NW 1994.

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