Nassella manicata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 50–70 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.1–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 10–30 cm long; 1.5–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 10–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2–25 mm long; pubescent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 12–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1.5–2.5 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 12–15 mm long; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 11–14 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 6–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface papillose; rough above. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex with a membranous corona and surmounted by a ring of hairs; with this appendage 1 mm long (plus hairs 1–15mm); awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 40–50 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Column of lemma awn 10–15 mm long; puberulous. Palea 1.5 mm long; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 0.5 mm long. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America and southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Matthei 1995.

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