familyPoaceae
subfamilyPoaceae subfam. Chloridoideae
genusSchedonnardus
speciesSchedonnardus paniculatus
Schedonnardus paniculatus
Common names: Tumblegrass
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 25. Treatment on page 230.
Revision as of 18:59, 11 May 2021 by imported>Volume Importer
Panicles 5-50 cm, rachises becoming curved; branches 2-8(16) cm. Lower glumes 1.5-3 mm; upper glumes 1.5-4(5.5) mm; lemmas 3-5 mm; anthers 0.7-1.4 mm. Caryopses 2.5-3.5 mm. 2n = 20, 30.
Distribution
Alta., Man., Sask., Wyo., Nev., Colo., N.Mex., Tex., La., Utah, Calif., Minn., Kans., N.Dak., Nebr., Okla., S.Dak., Mont., Pacific Islands (Hawaii), Ill., Miss., Iowa, Ariz., Mo., Ark., Wis.
Discussion
Schedonnardus paniculatus is frequently found in disturbed areas. At maturity, the panicle breaks at the base and functions as a tumbleweed for seed dispersal. It is often a conspicuous feature of deserted towns in films of the American West.
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
None.