Bouteloua distans

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 38–60 cm long. Leaf-sheaths hirsute; with tubercle-based hairs. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades curled; 7–15 cm long; 1.5–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins glabrous, or tuberculate-ciliate; hairy at base.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes numerous; 20–50; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 0.8–1.5 cm long; bearing few fertile spikelets; bearing 2–3 fertile spikelets on each. Central inflorescence axis 12–19 cm long. Rhachis deciduous from axis; angular; terminating in a barren extension; extension subulate. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 8–9 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–4.5 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–9 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 8–9 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma apex entire; acuminate. Rhachilla extension glabrous. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; rudimentary. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 3 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns equal; 4–6 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Mexico.

NOTES Cynodonteae. Gould.

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