Stipa densiflora

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–100 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 6–13 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; elliptic, or oblong; 10–20 cm long; 2–4 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 14–16 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 3 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 14–16 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 6 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel. Lemma surface tuberculate; pilose. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 30–38 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb glabrous. Column of lemma awn 16–18 mm long; hirsute; with 1 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Stipeae. Hughes 1994.

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