Angiosperms: Monocotyledons

Poaceae
Grass Family

• Stem: perennial; tufted; 1’ to 2’ tall; smooth.
• Leaves: sheath smooth or hairy, sometimes marginal hairs at the top of the sheath; ligule 1/32” long, thin; blade narrow, 4” to 6” by 1/16”, hairy above and below.
• Inflorescence: branching flower stalk; cylindrical, compact, 2” to 3” long, sometimes lobed near the base.
• Spikelets: 5/32” long, the upper (second) glume nearly as long as the florets; usually two florets per spike-let; flowering from early to late June.
• Fruits: 1/8” long; fruiting begins in mid-June; fruits begin dropping in late July.
• Habitat: common on sandy and dry prairies, less common on mesic prairies; also on low prairies and in open woods; less common in eastern Iowa.
• Bibliography from Biodiversity Heritage Library