Stipa trichophylla

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 20–40 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or scaberulous; glabrous on surface, or hispid. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hispid.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 13–26 cm long. Panicle axis scabrous. Panicle branches capillary; scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

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

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume linear; 10 mm long; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 5–6 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; 40–50 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 12–13 mm long; pubescent. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl W Austral 1994.

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