Stipa semibarbata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30–60 cm long; 3–5 -noded. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths hispid; outer margin hairy. Leaf-sheath oral hairs bearded. Ligule a ciliate membrane; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades erect; convolute; 15–35 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong; 15–22 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2–3 -nate; 3–7 cm long. Panicle axis puberulous. Panicle branches puberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 17–24 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 3.2–4.5 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume linear; 17–24 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 7–8 mm long; coriaceous; dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface tuberculate; pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 75–85 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 35 mm long; plumose; hairy generally; with 0.3–1.6 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; 3 mm long. Anthers 3; 2.6–6 mm long; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl W Austral 1994.

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