Stipa variabilis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–80 cm long; 1–1.5 mm diam.; 1–3 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface; outer margin hairy. Leaf-sheath oral hairs scanty, or lacking. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades flexuous; convolute; 9–25 cm long; 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; glabrous, or puberulous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 10–20 cm long; 2–3 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2–4 -nate; 2–3 cm long. Panicle axis smooth. Panicle branches scaberulous; pubescent in axils.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2–5 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 10–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 1–2 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner above; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–15 mm long; membranous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 6–8 mm long; cartilaginous; dark brown; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma hairs white, or tawny. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; recurved at base of limb; 50–70 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 11–25 mm long; pubescent. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; 2–2.6 mm long; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl W Austral 1994.

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