Nassella smithii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–60 cm long; 3 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 8–15 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 8–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 6–7 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 3.5–4.2 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex with a membranous corona; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 12–14 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn puberulous. Palea 0 -veined; without keels.

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.