Texas Needlegrass -introduced (*Nassella leucotricha)

Native to southern North America. c3.

Family. Poaceae (Grass family).

Other names: Stipa leucotricha.

Identification:

• it is a tall grass to 1 metre
• the flowers are in a contracted cluster
• the glumes are longer than the lemma bodies
• the lemmas are single and long awned
• the crown at the awn base has stiff bristles on the rim
• the ligule is membranous and 0.4-0.7 mm long.

The crown with stiff bristles on the rim, at the junction of the lemma and awn is distinctive.

A weed species of pastures that can crowd out more desirable grasses.

Nassella: from nassa a narrow-necked wicker basket; ella: diminutive, referring to the shape of the floret of some species; leuco: white; tricha hair.

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