Bouteloua pedicellata

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Stolons present. Culms 15–25 cm long. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.5–0.8 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 2–5 cm long; 1 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 10–20; borne along a central axis; unilateral; 0.6–0.8 cm long; bearing 1 spikelet; bearing 1 fertile spikelets on each. Central inflorescence axis 5–10 cm long; tip subulate. Rhachis deciduous from axis; subterete; terminating in a barren extension; extension subulate; extension 4–5 mm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Raceme-bases linear; 2–3 mm long; pilose; hairy on margins.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 6–8 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes similar; reaching apex of florets; similar to fertile lemma in texture. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scaberulous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 6–8 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scaberulous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 6–8 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex entire; acute; muticous. Palea 1 length of lemma. Rhachilla extension glabrous. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; rudimentary. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns 6–8 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3; yellow.

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.