Nassella pulchra

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–100 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent (below nodes). Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 10–25 cm long; 2–6 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; loose; nodding; 15 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; 2.5–5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 15–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; curved; 2 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 15–25 mm long; 1.1–1.2 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 13–21 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; purple; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 7.5–12 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex without appendage, or surmounted by a ring of hairs, or with a short cylindrical neck; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; stiff; 60–90 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 15–20 mm long; pubescent. Palea 1–2 mm long; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA and Mexico.

NOTES Stipeae. Gr Baja Cal 1994.

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