Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora (Nutt.) Munro (Scribn. ex Beal) Lonard & Gould
Pacific fescue
Poaceae (Grass family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

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Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Vulpia microstachys var. pauciflora
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Species Information

General:
Annual, loosely tufted grass from fibrous roots; stems sometimes solitary, erect (sometimes bent or angled at the lower nodes), (5) 15-35 (40) cm tall.
Leaves:
Sheaths smooth or short-hairy; blades in-rolled or sometimes flat, smooth or short-hairy, to 1 mm wide; ligules 0.2-0.5 (1) mm long.
Flowers:
Inflorescence an open panicle (sometimes reduced to a raceme), the lower branches (and spikelet stalks) spreading or directed backward, (3) 5-11 (14) cm long, the base with callus-like swellings in the axils at maturity; spikelets 4-9 mm long (excluding awns), (1-) 2- to 6- (7-) flowered, the florets loosely overlapping; glumes smooth or short-hairy, the lower glumes 1-nerved, (1.7) 3-6 mm long, the upper glumes 3-nerved, (3.5) 5-8 mm long; lemmas smooth or short-hairy, lanceolate, (3.5) 4.5-7.5 (8) mm long, the terminal awns (3) 6-13 (20) mm long; rachilla internodes about 1 mm long; anthers 1 (rarely 2 or 3), 0.3-3 (3.5) mm long.
Notes:
Several dubious varieties are sometimes recognized based on the presence and distribution of hairs.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Habitat and Range

Mesic to dry fields, rock slopes, roadsides and waste areas in the lowland and montane zones; frequent in SW BC, rare in SC BC; S to NM, AZ, and CA; South America.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia