Muhlenbergia robusta

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms robust; 100–300 cm long. Leaf-sheaths keeled. Leaf-sheath auricles erect; 2–5 mm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–5 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades 30–50 cm long; 4–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 30–60 cm long; 2–4 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 8–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2–2.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–2.8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface smooth, or asperulous. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 2–2.8 mm long; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous. Upper glume apex obtuse, or acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2–2.8 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface smooth, or asperulous. Lemma apex acute; muticous, or mucronate, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 1.2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Fl Nov Gal 1994.

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