Nassella macrathera

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 40–70 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-nodes pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.1–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 10–18 cm long; 0.3–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; linear; dense; 10–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2–12 mm long; pubescent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 24 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 3–4 mm long; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 24 mm long; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 21 mm long; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 10–11 mm long; coriaceous; light brown; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface papillose; glabrous. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex with a membranous corona and surmounted by a ring of hairs; with this appendage 1.2–2 mm long; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 80–100 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn pubescent. Palea 1 mm long; 0.1 length of lemma; hyaline; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER 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.