Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Eriocoma perplexa (Hoge & Barkworth) Romaschenko
(New Mexico Needlegrass)


Family: Poaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Achnatherum perplexumHoge & Barkworth Stipa columbiana of NM reports
Stipa minor sensu NM authors
Stipa perplexa (Hoge & Barkworth) J. Wipff & S.D. Jones

Eriocoma perplexa is a perennial New Mexico inhabitant of dry slopes. In Eriocoma perplexa, the inflorescence is born as a panicle, in which most spikelets are on branchets off the central spike axis. The spikelets have one floret each, and separate (disarticulate) above the glumes. The lemma is awned from the tip, and the awns are peristent and 1-6 cm long and bent. The palea is 1/3 to 1/2 of the length of the lemma. The apical lemma hairs are not erect.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Eriocoma perplexa, photo Russ Kleinman, Bear Mtn., Nov. 2, 2008



Eriocoma perplexa, detail of spikelet, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Bear Mtn., Nov. 11, 2007



Eriocoma perplexa, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Bear Mtn., Nov. 2, 2008


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