Nassella quinqueciliata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms weak; 50–140 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–40 cm long; 1.5–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 5.5–25 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 2–2.5 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 11 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 13 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 7–9 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface papillose; rough generally; pilose; hairy all along, or below; hairy on veins. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; with this appendage 0.5–0.6 mm long; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 55–75 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 35–40 mm long; ciliate; hairy on the spiral. Palea without keels.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Zanin 2010.

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