Nassella wurdackii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 60–65 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 5–15 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 15 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 5.5–6.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent; acute.

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; 5.5–6.5 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 3.5–3.8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex with a membranous corona and surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 17–20 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 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.