Lycurus setosus
Encyclopedia
Lycurus setosus is a species
of grass in the Poaceae
family, commonly known as the bristly wolfstail. It is found at high elevations in dry areas of the south western United States, as well as in Bolivia
and Argentina
.
s and differently shaped tips to the upper leaves.
s and rocky slopes. It occurs in the south western states of the United States and in northern Mexico. A separate population occurs in similar habitats in Argentina and Bolivia.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of grass in the Poaceae
Poaceae
The Poaceae is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of flowering plants. Members of this family are commonly called grasses, although the term "grass" is also applied to plants that are not in the Poaceae lineage, including the rushes and sedges...
family, commonly known as the bristly wolfstail. It is found at high elevations in dry areas of the south western United States, as well as in Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
Description
Lycurus setosus is a perennial mountain grass with a tufted habit. The erect stems have several nodes and grow from 30 cm (11.8 in) to 50 cm (19.7 in) in height and may have a few branches. The leaf blades are glabrous and grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) long but only 2 mm (0.078740157480315 in) wide. They are rough or bristly and have a white midrib below. The flower panicles are 4 cm (1.6 in) to 8 cm (3.1 in) long and about 8 mm (0.31496062992126 in) wide. They are also bristly. It can be distinguished from the rather similar common wolfstail (Lycurus phleoides) by the erect culms, longer liguleLigule
A ligule — is a thin outgrowth at the junction of leaf and leafstalk of many grasses and sedges or a strap-shaped corolla, such as that of a ray floret in plants in the daisy family....
s and differently shaped tips to the upper leaves.
Habitat and range
Lycurus setosus grows at altitudes of between 570 m (1,870.1 ft) and 3400 m (11,154.9 ft). It is found on arid, free draining land, on mesaMesa
A mesa or table mountain is an elevated area of land with a flat top and sides that are usually steep cliffs. It takes its name from its characteristic table-top shape....
s and rocky slopes. It occurs in the south western states of the United States and in northern Mexico. A separate population occurs in similar habitats in Argentina and Bolivia.