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littleawn needlegrass

Scientific Name: Achnatherum lobatum

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Littleawn Needlegrass (Achnatherum lobatum)

Achnatherum lobatum, commonly known as littleawn needlegrass, is a perennial graminoid plant belonging to the grass family.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is a type of needlegrass. While the text doesn't explicitly state hazards, the term "needlegrass" may suggest sharp or pointed structures.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Achnatherum lobatum (Swallen) Barkworth
  • Common Names: littleawn needlegrass, little awn needlegrass, Lobed Needlegrass
  • Synonym: Stipa lobata Swallen
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)
  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Nomenclatural Reference: Phytologia 74: 9. 1993

Distribution and Habitat

  • The plant is found in New Mexico, Arizona, and potentially other areas of the southwestern United States.
  • It is associated with plant communities like Gambel oak-littleawn needlegrass and Ponderosa Pine-Arizona Fescue-Pringle needlegrass.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • It is a perennial graminoid.
  • Plants are cespitose (growing in tufts or clumps) and not rhizomatous (lacking horizontal underground stems).
  • Culms (stems) are 40-100 cm tall and 0.6-2.6 mm thick.
  • Culms are glabrous (smooth) or sparsely pubescent (hairy) to 5mm below the lower nodes (stem joints).
  • There are 4 nodes (stem joints) present.

Resources and Further Information

  • Encyclopedia of Life
  • Dave's Garden
  • ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System)
  • USDA NRCS PLANTS Database
  • Smithsonian Institution
  • Arctos Plants Catalogue of Life
  • GBIF Backbone Taxonomy