Flora of North America species comparison

1-3 m, often glaucous.

70-210 cm;

internodes occasionally somewhat glaucous just below the node;

branches straight, mostly erect to ascending.

glabrous or pilose;

ligules 0.4-2.5 mm;

blades 5-50 cm long, (2)5-10 mm wide, usually pilose adaxially, at least near the collar.

often scabrous, somteimes smooth;

ligules 0.4-1.2 mm, ciliate, cilia 0.2-1.3 mm;

blades 32-61 cm long, 2.9-5 mm wide, glabrous, rarely sparsely pubescent.

usually only terminal;

peduncles with 2-6(10) rames;

rames 5-11 cm, exserted at maturity, usually purplish, sometimes yellowish;

internodes sparsely to densely pubescent, hairs 2.2-4.2 mm, usually white, rarely yellowish.

(9)50-210 per culm; subtending sheaths (3)4-5.9(7) cm long, (1.5)2-2.7(3.6) mm wide;

peduncles (10)19-48(93) mm, with 2(4) rames;

rames (2)2.5-3.7(4.5) cm, usually exserted at maturity, internodes evenly pubescent.

spikelets 5-11 mm, scabrous;

awns 8-25 mm;

anthers 3, 2.5-4.5 mm.

spikelets (3.8)4.4-4.8(5.5) mm;

callus hairs 1-3 mm;

keels of lower glumes glabrous below midlength;

awns 5-15 mm;

anthers 1(3), 1.3-2 mm, usually yellow (sometimes purple).

spikelets 3.5-12 mm, usually well-developed and staminate.

spikelets vestigial or absent.

= 20, 40, 60 (usually), 70, 80.

= 20.