UW Burke Herbarium species comparison

Sheaths closed below, but open over half their length;

ligules about 1 mm. long, rounded to truncate;

blades 1-3.5 mm. broad, usually folded, the tip prow-like.

Leaves basally tufted, the sheaths open for over half their length, the blades involute, reaching to the panicles, scarcely 2 mm. broad, the tips only slightly prow-like;

ligules membranous, acute, 0.8-2 mm. long, entire, pubescent.

Inflorescence a pyramidal panicle 3-8 cm. long, the branches spreading and somewhat rigid;

spikelets 3- to 6-flowered, 4-6 mm. long;

glumes unequal, the first 1-nerved, about 2 mm. long, the second 3-nerved, much the broader;

florets rather distant, the rachilla visible;

lemmas about 3.5 mm. long, 5-nerved, the margins purplish and papery, usually pubescent along the keel and marginal nerves;

paleas slightly shorter than the lemmas, 2-keeled.

Inflorescence a compact panicle, 1.5-3.5 cm. long, the branches erect, tawny to purplish;

spikelets 3-4 flowers, the rachilla usually with a terminal rudiment;

glumes 3-nerved, about equal in width, the first 2.5-3 mm. long, the second 3-4 mm. long;

lemmas strongly keeled, faintly 5-nerved, glabrous, unawned.

Utricle