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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