Cortaderia selloana (Schult. & Schult. f.)
Asch & Graebn.
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Danthonieae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
none
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
pampasgrass
Primary Disseminule Type
female (i.e., caryopsis-bearing) floret
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary, pedicelled, consisting of 3–7 fertile florets with similar-looking though diminished sterile florets at apex, lanceolate, laterally compressed, 12–18 mm long. Disarticulation below each fertile floret. Male and female florets are produced on separate plants, although male plants may produce a few bisexual florets.
Glumes ± equal, lanceolate, shorter than spikelet, hyaline, shiny, 8–14 mm long, 1-veined, without keel, apices attenuate.
Fertile florets (both functional males and females occur): rachilla persistent, 0.25 mm long, callus elongated (to 1 mm long) and typically curved, but may be shorter due to breakage, pilose (hairs to 2 mm long). Stigmas (if present) exserted.
Lemma lanceolate, 9–18 mm long, hyaline, shiny, typically pallid (rarely purplish), without keel, 3-veined, veins ribbed, lemma surface of female florets villous throughout with hairs to 10 mm long (lemma surface of male florets hairy at base only, with hairs to 7 mm long), apex setaceously attenuate, usually to an awn, awn to 5 mm long.
Palea to 4 mm long, hyaline, keels and apex ciliate, inter-keel and flanks sparsely scabrid.
Caryopsis elliptic, trigonous, to 2.5 mm long x 0.7 mm wide, brown, apex tipped with 2 stylar remnants, embryo 0.6 mm long, hilum linear, ca. 1 mm long, in shallow depression.
Similar Species
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI