Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

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

Hesperostipa neomexicana (Thurber) Barkworth
(New Mexico Feathergrass)

Family: Poaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Stipa neomexicana (Thurber ex Coulter) Scribner

Hesperostipa neomexicana is a very distinctive perennial grass that can easily be recognized by the very long, plumose awn originating from the tip of the lemma. The awns of Hesperostipa comata are not plumose.
Please click on an image for a larger file.

Hesperostipa neomexicana, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, May 14, 2008

Hesperostipa neomexicana, spikelets, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, May 14, 2008

Hesperostipa neomexicana, floret disarticulates above glumes, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, May 14, 2008

Hesperostipa neomexicana, plumose awn, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, May 14, 2008

Hesperostipa neomexicana, awns over 10cm in length with sharp callus, photo Russ Kleinman & Bill Norris, Silver City, May 14, 2008

Hesperostipa neomexicana, inflorescence, photo Elroy Limmer, Hwy 180 near Silver City, May 20, 2008

Hesperostipa neomexicana, closeup of floret, photo Elroy Limmer, Hwy 180 near Silver City, May 20, 2008

Hesperostipa neomexicana, closeup of floret, photo Elroy Limmer, Hwy 180 near Silver City, May 20, 2008

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