Dasyochloa pulchella

(Kunth) Willd. ex Rydb.
Common names: Fluffgrass
Synonyms: Triodia pulchella Tridens pulchellus Erioneuron pulchellum
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 25. Treatment on page 47.

Culms (1)4-15 cm, scabrous or puberulent; peduncles (internode below the panicles) 3-7(11) cm. Sheaths striate, margins scarious; ligules 3-5 mm; blades (1)2-6 cm, abaxial surfaces scabrous, adaxial surfaces scabridulous. Panicles 1-2.5 cm long, 1-1.5 cm wide, densely white-pubescent, light green or purple-tinged. Spikelets (5)6-9(10) mm, with (4)6-10 florets. Lower glumes 6-8.5 mm; upper glumes 6.5-9 mm, as long as or longer than the florets; lemmas 3-5.5 mm, lobes (1)3-3.2 mm, midveins extending into straight (1.5)2.5-4 mm awns; paleas 2-3.5 mm, keels long pilose proximally, ciliate distally; anthers 0.2-0.5 mm. Caryopses 1-1.5 mm, translucent. 2n = 16.

Distribution

Md., Colo., N.Mex., Tex., Utah, Calif., Wyo., Ariz., Nev.

Discussion

Dasyochloa pulchella grows in rocky soils of arid regions. It extends from the United States to central Mexico and is the most common grass in the Larrea-Flourensia scrub of the southwestern United States and adjacent Mexico.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.