An Introduction to Poaceae Grass Family Grass of

An Introduction to Poaceae (Grass Family)

Grass of Southwestern New Mexico

GRASSES OF SOUTHWESTERN NM

Rice (Oryza)

Corn (Zea)

Oats (Avena)

Wheat (Triticum)

Barley (Secale)

Sugar Cane (Saccharum)

Pampas Grass (Cortaderia)

Giant Reed (Arundo)

Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) Three-Awn (Aristida sp. )

Botteri’s Sparrow Sacaton Grass

Leaf = Blade + Sheath

Junction of Blade and Sheath (I) Ligule

Ligule

Junction of Blade and Sheath (II) Auricles

Aerial Stems Culm (= Grass Stem)

Prostrate Stems

Subterranean Stem

Fibrous Roots

Essential Vegetative Terminology • • Leaf Blade Leaf Sheath Ligule Auricle Culm Stolon Rhizome Fibrous Roots

Grass Flower

Grass Flower: Lodicules, Stamens, Carpels

Grass Floret = Flower Enclosed in Two Bracts (Lemma, Palea)

Dorsal View, Ventral View

CALLUS

GRAIN = CARYOPSIS

Grass Spikelet = Two Glumes + Floret(s)

Spikelets with One Floret

Spikelets with Multiple Florets

Essential Floral Terminology • • Flower Lodicule Stamen Carpel Floret Lemma Palea Callus • Dorsal View • Ventral View • Caryopsis = Grain • Rachilla • Spikelet • Glume • Pedicel

Inflorescence = Spikelet Arrangement

Raceme of Spikelets

Spike of Spikelets (Spicate Raceme)

Panicle of Spikelets (Open Panicle)

Panicle of Spikelets (Contracted Panicle)

Spike of Spikes (Spike of Spicate Branches) Hairy Grama (Bouteloua hirsuta)

Umbel of Spikes (Umbel of Spicate Branches)

Essential Inflorescence Terminology • • • Raceme Spike Open Panicle Closed Panicle Spike of Spikes Umbel of Spikes