Stipa obtusa

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 30–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–7 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; 10–25 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; interrupted; 8–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 2.5–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; pubescent; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 2.5–2.8 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight, or flexuous; 8–10 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; 1 mm long; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

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

NOTES Stipeae. Parodi 1995.

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