Nassella rosengurttii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect; 25–85 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 6–12 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 4–6 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1.5–3 mm long; puberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; pilose; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–7 mm long; 1.2 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–5.5 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma obovate; subterete; 3.3–3.4 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein pubescent. Lemma surface tuberculate. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 18–20 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Stipeae. Chase 1995.

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