Nassella pachypus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 20–45 cm long. Culm-nodes constricted; glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 2–7 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; pubescent; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 6–14 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 8–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; glabrous; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 8–9 mm long; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume linear; 7–8 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 3.5–4 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; with conspicuous apical hairs. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma hairs 3.3 mm long. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 13–18 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 2.5–2.8 mm long; 0 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pubescent.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: western South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Gr Peru 1995.

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