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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Alkali Muhly
Muhlenbergia asperifolia (Nees & Meyer ex Trin.) Par

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Grass (Gramineae)
Flowering: July-September
Field Marks: The genus Muhlenbergia is distinguished by its stalked, 1-flowered spikelets with a 3-nerved lemma. This species may be recognized by its open panicles and awnless glumes.
Habitat: Damp meadows, around ponds, along streams, alkaline flats, disturbed areas.
Habit: Perennial grass with elongated, scaly rhizomes.
Stems: Upright, branched, up to 18 inches tall, smooth, somewhat flattened.
Leaves: Narrow, elongated, flat, up to 1/8 inch wide, usually rough to the touch; sheaths smooth.
Flowers: Borne in 1-flowered spikelets; spikelets several in open panicles at the tips of thread-like branches; panicle up to 10 inches long; spikelets up to 1/12 inch long; glumes awnless.
Sepals: 0.
Petals: 0.
Stamens: 3.
Pistils: Ovary superior.
Grains: Smooth, about 1/20 inch long.
Notes: This species, sometimes known as scratchgrass, may invade lawns.

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Page Last Modified: Saturday, 02-Feb-2013 06:24:04 EST
Menlo Park, CA [caww55]