Nassella pfisteri

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–50 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes distally hirsute. Culm-nodes pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.1–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 10–25 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; hirsute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 10–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 0.3–10 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 12–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 2.6–3 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 12–18 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 18–19 mm long; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 9.5–11 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface woolly. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex with a membranous corona; with this appendage 1 mm long; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 60–80 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn hispidulous. Palea 2–3.2 mm long; 0.5 length of lemma; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; 2 mm long. Anthers 3; 3.5–4 mm long; anther tip penicillate. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Matthei 1995.

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