Nassella tenuiculmis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Rhizomes short. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms erect; 70 cm long; 0.8 mm diam.; 2–3 -noded; with 0.5 of their length below uppermost node. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; flat, or convolute; 10–20 cm long; 0.8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; rough abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 10 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–2 -nate. Panicle axis scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 18–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; curved; 2.5 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 18–20 mm long; 1.2–1.3 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 15 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface asperulous; pubescent; hairy below; hairy on veins. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 60 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 35 mm long. Palea 1 mm long; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Hack 1995.

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