Stipellula Röser & Hamasha (2012: 91)

Vázquez, Francisco Maria, Márquez, Francisco, García, David & Oualidi, Jalal El, 2025, A taxonomic revision of Stipeae s. l. tribe (Poaceae) in N Africa, Phytotaxa 699 (1), pp. 1-174 : 74-84

Stipellula Röser & Hamasha (2012: 91) .

Type: Stipellula capensis (Thunb.) Röser & Hamasha ( Röser & Hamasha (2012: 91)

= Stipa L. ser. Tortiles Roshevitz in Komarov (1934: 102).

= Stipa L. Sect. Stipella Tzvelev (1974: 15) .

≡ Stipella (Tzvelev) Röser & H.R. Hamasha (2012: 365) & Tzvelev (2012: 22), nom. illeg., not Léger, L. & Gauthier, M. (1932: 2263).

Key to Stipellula species.

1. Annual plants ................................................................................................................................................................................... 2.

- Perennial plants ............................................................................................................................................................................... 3.

2. Awn persistent. Caducous fruits ...................................................................................................................................... S. capensis .

- Awn caducous. Persistent fruits in the inflorescence ................................................................................................ S. magrebensis .

3. Rigid and smooth leaves. Glumes sub-equal. Anther apex without hairs ........................................................................... S. nitens .

- Flexuous and seriated rib leaves. Glumes unequal. Anther apex with hairs ................................................................................... 4.

4. Ligule and sheet margin smooth. Awn hairs 0.3–0.5 mm in column. Flowering September to January ............................................ ........................................................................................................................................................... S. tibestica ( Chad extralimital).

- Ligule and sheet margin scabrid to ciliated. Awn hairs 0.1–0.2 mm in column. Flowering March to July (October) ........................ ....................................................................................................................................................................................... S. parviflora .

1.- Stipellula capensis (Thunb.) Röser & Hamasha (2012: 92) ( Figure 40 & 41 ).

Type:— SOUTH AFRICA. Promontorio Bonae Spei Africes , Thunberg 2560, n.d. (lectotype UPS-THUNBERG 2560!, designated by Freitag (1985: 416).

≡ Stipa capensis Thunb. (1794: 19) . (Bas.)

≡ Stipella capensis (Thunb.) Röser & Hamasha (2012: 365) & Tzvelev (2012: 23).

Annual. Culm erect geniculate at base, glabrous to pubescent, 15–95 cm tall; prophylls edged, lacking one turn dorsally to 18 mm striate surface, the other turn ciliated with smooth apical margins. Leaves with sheaths glabrous or pubescent on the stem, pubescent to scabrid at the throat, specially on the innovations, free margin, scabrid, ciliated; ligule truncate apex fimbriated, partially decurrent, 0.2–0.8 mm long, membranous, pubescent to scabrid, laterally ciliated; vegetative blades culms to 22 cm long, convolute, plane to involute, abaxially smooth, scabrid to pubescent, adaxially scabrid-villous striated, scabrous-ciliated on the margin, to 2 mm in diameter; fertile blades culms to 14 cm long, plane to convolute, abaxially smooth, scabrid to pubescent, adaxially scabrid-villous, striated, scabrous-ciliated on the margin, to 1.1 mm in diameter, flexuous pointed acute. Inflorescence to 24 cm long, panicle lanceolate, dense, the axis smooth to scabrid, alternate to sub-verticillate branches, erect, not flexuous, smooth, spikelet-bearing all of inflorescence. Spikelet free, progressive in flowering, the lateral pedicel of last flower to 9 mm long, smooth to scabrid; glumes narrow, sub-equal, 12–20 mm long, with hyaline long-acuminate tips, pale green when immature and green to pale purple when mature, 3 smooth to finely scabrid ribs; lemma slender, fusiform, 4–9 mm long, homogenously pubescent upper and sub-seriated lower, with 5 non-defined lines of hairs, apex truncate, ciliate; callus sharp and slender, 2–4.5 mm long, villous with adpressed white hairs dorsally and ventrally, laterally smooth; palea lanceolate 1– 3 mm, glabrous, apex obtuse; awn 4–16 cm long, persistent, frequently bigeniculate, the first segment (column) ca. 2.5 cm long, twisted, scabrid-villous with ascending hairs to 0.4 mm long and scabrid between angles, the second segment (genicula) like the first but shorter (<1 cm), the third segment (seta) to 12 cm long, flexuous, angled, gradually less scabrid toward the scabrous tip; lodicules 3, sub-equal, the two laterals 0.8–2.1 mm long, acute, lanceolate, 1 rib, apex entire, the posterior to 2 mm long, lanceolate; anthers 3–5 mm long, apiculate apex without hairs; stigma 2, plumose. Caryopsis terete, fusiform, 3–7 mm long, brown to pale brown ( Figure 41 ).

Key to Stipellula capensis varieties.

2.

- Plants with sheaths and blades of vegetative leaves pubescent to scabrid-pubescent ............................. S. capensis var. pubescens . Plants with sheaths and blades of vegetative leaves glabrous to scabrid .................................................. S. capensis var. capensis .

1a. Stipellula capensis var. capensis (Thunb.) Röser & Hamasha (2012: 92) ( Figure 40 & 41 ).

= Stipa retorta Cavanilles (1795-97, 1: 119, 2: 325) (lectotype MA 476394!, designated by Vázquez & Devesa (1996: 157).

= Stipa tortilis Desfontaines (1798: 99) (lectotype P-DESF!, designated by Vázquez & Devesa (1996: 157); Isotype MPU024685! designated here).

= Stipa humilis Brotero (1804: 86) (lectotype destroyed (conf. in LISU and COI)).

= Stipa seminuda Vahl ex Hornemann (1813: 76) , nom. superfl.

= Stipa liwinowii Roshevitz (1932: 74) , pro. syn.

= Stipa capensis var. tortilis (Desf.) Breistroffer (1950: 2) .

Abaxial surface in fertile and sterile leaves glabrous to scabrid in the ribs ( Figure 41 ).

Phenology:—January to June.

Habitat:—Ruderal areas and open tracks in steppe zones from sea level to 2000 m a.s.l, in skeletal and nitraterich soils.

Distribution:—[Stenomediterranean (included S-Africa) and Irano-Turanian]. In North Africa: Egypt, Lybia, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania ( Figure 40 ).

1b. Stipellula capensis var. pubescens (Ball) F.M. Vázquez (2013: 83) ( Figure 40 & 41 ).

Type:— MOROCCO. Sektana , n.d., Ball (lectotype BM n.v.) .

≡ Stipa tortilis var. pubescens Ball (1878: 711) . (Bas.)

≡ Stipa capensis var. pubescens (Ball) Breistroffer (1950: 2) .

= Stipa tortilis var. pilosa Trabut (1885: 395) (lectotype n.v.).

Abaxial surface in fertile and sterile leaves pubescent to tomentose ( Figure 41 e’).

Phenology:—January to June.

Habitat:—Ruderal areas and open tracks in steppe zones from sea level to 2200 m a.s.l, in skeletal and nitraterich soils.

Distribution:—[Stenomediterranean and Irano-Turanian]. In North Africa: Lybia, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco) ( Figure 40 ). Expected in Egypt.

2. Stipellula magrebensis (F.M. Vázquez & Devesa) F.M. Vázquez (2013: 83) ( Figure 42 & 43 ).

Type:— MOROCCO. Ouarzazate , pr. oppidulum Tifoultout, 30º56’N / 6º59’W, 1240 m, in clivosis siccis ad viam / 9657, 31 May 1985, C. Blanché, J. Fernandez Casa, J. Molero, J. M. Montserrat & A. Romo (holotype BC813670 a!) .

≡ Stipa magrebensis F.M. Vázquez & Devesa (1997: 206) (Bas.).

Annual. Culm erect geniculate at base, glabrous to pubescent, 8–35 cm tall; prophylls edged, with one turn dorsally to 16 mm striate surface, ciliated turn and apical margins, smooth. Leaves with sheaths glabrous or pubescent on the stem, pubescent to scabrid at the throat, especially on the innovations, free margin, scabrid, ciliated; ligule truncate apex fimbriated, partially decurrent, 0.2–1 mm long, membranous, pubescent to scabrid, laterally ciliated; vegetative blades culms to 18 cm long, convolute, plane to involute, abaxially smooth, scabrid to pubescent, adaxially scabrid-villous striated, scabrous-ciliated on the margin, to 1.8 mm in diameter; fertile blades culms to 11 cm long, plane to convolute, abaxially smooth, scabrid to pubescent, adaxially scabrid-villous, striated, scabrous-ciliated on the margin, to 1 mm in diameter, flexuous pointed acute. Inflorescence to 20 cm long, panicle lanceolate, dense, the axis smooth to scabrid, alternate to sub-verticillate branches, erect, not flexuous, smooth, spikelet-bearing all of inflorescence. Spikelet free, slider in flowering, the lateral pedicel of last flower to 8 mm long, smooth to scabrid; glumes narrow, sub-equal, 14–25 mm long, with hyaline long-acuminate tips, pale green when immature and green to pale purple when mature, 1–3 ribs finely scabrid; lemma slender, fusiform, 2.5–6.5 mm long, homogenously pubescent, apex truncate, ciliate; callus slender and sharp, 1.5–4.5 mm long, homogenously villous with adpressed white hairs; palea lanceolate 1–3 mm, glabrous, apex obtuse; awn 5–17 cm long, deciduous, frequently bigeniculate, the first segment (column) ca. 2.5 cm long, twisted, scabrid-villous with ascending hairs to 0.3 mm long and scabrid between angles, the second segment (genicula) like to first but shorter (<1 cm), the third segment (seta) to 12 cm long, flexuous, angled, gradually less scabrid toward the scabrous tip; lodicules 3, sub-equal, the two laterals 0.8–2 mm long, acute, lanceolate, 1 rib, apex entire, the posterior to 2 mm long, lanceolate; anthers 3–5 mm long, apiculate apex without hairs; stigma 2, plumose. Caryopsis terete, fusiform, 2.5–5 mm long, brown to pale brown ( Figure 43 ).

Phenology:—March to May (June)

Habitat:—In arid zones from sea level to medium elevation (<1300 m a.s.l.) on sandy and poor soils.

Distribution:—[Endemic Stenomediterranean- N African]: Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco ( Figure 42 ). Expected in Libya.

3. Stipellula nitens (Ball) Röser & Hamasha (2012: 91) ( Figure 42 & 44 ).

Type:— MOROCCO. in regione subalpine Atlantis Majoris in covalle Ait Mesan supra Around circa 2200 m, 13. V.18371, J. Ball + s.n.

[ lectotype BM000922704 ! (central specimen), designated here, isolectotype P01919517 ! designated here; Syntype: G6932-303 !,

designated here]. ≡ Stipa nitens (Ball) Ball (1878: 712) . (Bas.) ≡ Stipella nitens (Ball) Röser & Hamasha (2012: 365) . ≡ Stipa tortilis subsp. nitens Ball (1875: 206) .

Perennial. Culm erect not geniculate at base, glabrous to pubescent, 35–95 cm tall; prophylls edged, with two turns dorsally to 22 mm striate surface, turn and apical margins smooth. Leaves with sheaths glabrous, scabrid to pubescent on the stem, pubescent to scabrid at the throat, especially on the innovations, free margin, scabrid, ciliated; ligule truncate apex fimbriated, partially decurrent, 0.5–1.8 mm long, not membranous, pubescent to scabrid, laterally ciliated; vegetative blades culms to 31 cm long, rigid, convolute, abaxially smooth, adaxially scabrid-villous striated, scabrous on the margin, to 1.5 mm in diameter; fertile blades culms to 14 cm long, convolute, abaxially smooth, adaxially scabrid-villous, striated, scabrous-ciliated on the margin, to 1 mm in diameter, rigid pointed acute. Inflorescence to 35 cm long, panicle lanceolate, lax to congest, the axis smooth to scabrid, alternate to sub-verticillate branches, erect, sub-flexuous, smooth, spikelet-bearing in all of inflorescence. Spikelet free, progressive in flowering, the lateral pedicel of last flower to 12 mm long, smooth to scabrid; glumes narrow, sub-equal, 11–28 mm long, with hyaline long-acuminate tips, pale green when immature and green when mature, 1–3 ribs finely scabrid; lemma slender, fusiform, 3.5–7 mm long, homogenously pubescent, apex truncate, ciliate; callus sharp and slender, 1–2 mm long, homogenously villous with adpressed white hairs; palea lanceolate 1–3 mm, glabrous, apex obtuse; awn 5–12 cm long, persistent, frequently bigeniculate, the first segment (column) ca. 3 cm long, twisted, scabrid-villous with ascending hairs to 2.5 mm long and scabrid between angles, the second segment (genicula) like to first but shorter (<1 cm), the third segment (seta) to 8 cm long, flexuous, angled, gradually less scabrid toward the scabrous tip; lodicules 3, sub-equal, the two laterals 0.8–1.8 mm long, acute, lanceolate, 1 rib, apex entire truncated, the posterior to 1.8 mm long, lineal; anthers 3–5 mm long, apiculate apex without hairs; stigma 2, plumose. Caryopsis terete, fusiform, 3–5 mm long, brown to pale brown ( Figure 44 ).

Phenology:—May to July.

Habitat:—In rocky areas above 1500 m a.s.l., in zones with winter snowfall.

Distribution:—[Endemic Stenomediterranean-Moroccan]. Endemic to the High Atlas ( Morocco) ( Figure 42 ).

4. Stipellula parviflora (Desf.) Röser & Hamasha (2012: 92) ( Figure 45 & 46 ).

Type:—COUNTRY. in collibus aridis prope Mascar et in regno Tunetano, Desfontaines, s.d. or number [lectotype P-DESF!, designated by Vázquez & Devesa (1996: 154); Isolectotype 1: MA 5100!; Isolectotype 2: MA 8100!; Isolectotype 3: MAF-POURRET 375!, designated by Vázquez & Devesa (1996: 154)].

≡ Stipa parviflora Desfontaines (1798: 98) . (Bas.)

≡ Stipella parviflora (Desf.) Röser & Hamasha (2012: 365) , nom. illeg.

≡ Achnatherum parviflorum (Desf.) M. Nobis (2020: 39) .

Perennial. Culm erect not geniculate at base, glabrous to scabrid, 45–130 cm tall; prophylls edged, without two turns dorsally to 24 mm striate surface, pubescent inter ribs. Leaves with sheaths glabrous or pubescent on the stem, pubescent to scabrid at the throat, especially on the innovations, free margin, scabrid, ciliated; ligule truncate to lacerate apex, not decurrent, 0.5–1.5 mm long, membranous, pubescent to scabrid, laterally ciliated; vegetative blades culms to 34 cm long, convolute, plane to involute, abaxially smooth, scabrid to pubescent, adaxially scabrid-villous striated, scabrous-ciliated on the margin, to 2 mm of diameter; fertile blades culms to 22 cm long, plane to convolute, abaxially smooth, scabrid to pubescent, adaxially scabrid-villous, striated, scabrous-ciliated on the margin, to 1.2 mm of diameter, flexuous, sharp-pointed obtuse. Inflorescence to 55 cm long, panicle lanceolate, falling, loose, the axis smooth to scabrid, alternate to sub-verticillate branches, slender, flexuous, smooth, spikelet-bearing in all of inflorescence. Spikelet free, progressive in flowering, the lateral pedicel of last flower to 35 mm long, smooth to scabrid; glumes narrow, unequal, lower 4–10 mm long, truncate to acute apex, upper 10–18 mm long, with hyaline long-acuminate tips, green when immature and purple when mature, 3 smooth to finely scabrid ribs; lemma slender, fusiform, 3.5–7 mm long, homogenously pubescent, apex truncate, ciliate; callus slender and sharp, 0.8–1.8 mm long, villous with adpressed white hairs; palea lanceolate 1.5–3 mm, frequent with line of hairs dorsally, apex acute; awn 7– 15 cm long, persistent, frequently bigeniculate, the first segment (column) ca. 2 cm long, twisted, scabrid-villous with ascending hairs 0.1–0.2 mm long, the second segment (genicula) like to first but shorter (<1 cm), the third segment (seta) up to 10 cm long, flexuous, angled, gradually less scabrid toward the scabrous tip; lodicules 3, sub-equal, the two laterals 0.5–1.8 mm long, acute, lanceolate, 1 rib, apex entire, the posterior to 1.5 mm long, lanceolate; anthers 2–3.7 mm long, apiculate apex with hairs to 0.3 mm; stigma 2, plumose. Caryopsis terete, fusiform, 2.5–5 mm long, brown to dark brown ( Figure 46 ).

Phenology:—(March) April to July.

Key to Stipellula parviflora varieties.

1. Apex lemma prolonged margins in two dents 0.25–0.4 mm long. Dorsal apex lemma very scabrid to pubescent. Awn column densely pilose in low ......................................................................................................................... S. parviflora var. hoggarensis .

- Apex lemma truncate, not extended margins or extended margins in two dents 0.08–0.15 mm long. Dorsal apex lemma scabrid. Awn column scabrid to poorly pilose .............................................................................................................................................. 2.

2. Lemma 6.5–7(–8) mm long. Awn 10–15(–17) cm long ....................................................................... S. parviflora var. sandwithii .

- Lemma 3.5–6.5 mm long. Awn 7–11.5 cm long .............................................................................................................................. 3.

3. Abaxially sheaths and blades of the fertile leaves glabrous ................................................................. S. parviflora var. parviflora .

- Abaxially sheaths and blades of the fertile leaves pubescent to scabrid-pubescent .................................... S. parviflora var. pilosa .

3a. Stipellula parviflora var. parviflora (Desf.) Röser & Hamasha (2012: 92) ( Figure 45 & 46 (a–g)).

= Stipa parviflora var. contorta Lange (1860: 36) (lectotype n.v., isolectotype MA149135!, designated by Vázquez & Devesa (1996:

154). = Stipa ilorcitana Sennen (1932: 106) (lectotype BC-SENNEN!, designated by Vázquez & Devesa (1996: 154–155). = Stipa parviflora var. ilorcitana (Sennen) Sennen (1932: 119) . = Stipa parviflora subsp. sinaica Chrtek & Martinovský (1969: 397) (holotype CAI n. v.,; paratypes K000587467!; K000587468!;

G00784251!; & MPU n.n.!, designated here). = Stipa parviflora subsp. contorta (Lange) Malagarriga (1973: 27) . = Stipa schimperi C.Presl ex Chrtek & Martinovsky (1969: 397) pro. syn. = Stipa gigantea auct . not Lagasca (1816: 3).

Abaxial surface leaves glabrous. Lemma to 6.5 mm long; apex entire or with dents to 0.15 mm. Awn to 11.5 cm long, base scabrid to pubescent with hairs to 0.5 mm ( Figure 46 (a–g)).

Habitat:—In areas and tracks above 200 m a.s.l., on calcareous, granitic, schistose substrates and rocky outcrops.

Distribution:—[Stenomediterranean]. In North Africa: Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco ( Figure 46 ).

3b. Stipellula parviflora var. sandwithii (Chrtek & Martinovský) F.M. Vázquez comb. et stat. nov. ( Figure 45 ).

Type:— LIBYA. Cyrenaica , desert north of Agedabia, towards Zuetina, 31 March 1939, N. Y . Sandwith 2199 [holotype K000345332 !] .

≡ Stipa parviflora subsp. sandwithii Chrtek & Martinovský (1969: 397) . (Bas.)

= Stipa parviflora subsp. parviflora var. mareotica Chrtek & Martinovský (1969: 398) (holotype CAI n.v.).

Abaxial surface leaves glabrous. Lemma 6–7.5(–8) mm long; apex entire or with dents 0.1–0.15 mm. Awn to 17 cm long, base scabrid to pubescent with hairs to 0.6 mm.

Habitat:—In areas above 200 m a.s.l., on calcareous or schistous substrates and rocky outcrops.

Distribution:—[Stenomediterranean N Africa]. In North Africa: Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco ( Figure 45 ).

3c. Stipellula parviflora var. pilosa (Chrtek & Martinovský) F.M.Vázquez comb. nov. ( Fig. 45 & 46 e’).

Type:— SPAIN. Porta et Rigo Iter II Hispanicum nº 38 et 334, prov. Almeria, incollibus aridis apricis et Murcia in collibus circa Lorca, sol. Schistaceo, 200–300 m, April–May 1899, Porta & Rigo (holotype PRC 345 n. v.).

≡ Stipa parviflora f. pilosa Chterk & Martinovský (1969: 398) . (Bas.)

≡ Stipa parviflora subsp. parviflora var. pilosa (Chrtek & Martinovský) F.M. Vázquez & Devesa (1996: 155) .

Abaxial surface leaves pubescent. Lemma to 6 mm long; apex entire or with dents 0.08–0.15 mm. Awn to 11 cm long, base scabrid to pubescent with hairs to 0.6 mm ( Figure 46 e’).

Habitat:—In areas above 200 m. a.s.l., in calcareous, schistous or gypsous substrates and rocky outcrops.

Distribution:—[Stenomediterranean]. In North Africa: Algeria, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia ( Figure 45 ).

3d. Stipellula parviflora var. hoggarensis (Chrtek & Martinovský) F.M. Vázquez comb. et stat. nov. ( Figure 45 ).

Type:— ALGERIA. Sahara , 53 miles E. O . Tamanreasset , Hoggar Mtns., 8000–9000 ft., 13 February 1952, A. Z . Kyrle HO619-68 [holotype K000345334 !] .

≡ Stipa hoggarensis Chrtek & Martinovský (1969: 396) . (Bas.)

= Stipa parviflora auct . non Desfontaines (1798: 98).

Abaxial surface leaves glabrous. Lemma to 6 mm long; apex with two appendices 0.25–0.4 mm, scabrid. Awn to 10.5 cm long, base scabrid to pubescent with hairs to 1.2 mm long.

Habitat:—Zones in the Sahara Desert.

Distribution:—[Endemic Saharan]: Algeria, Tunisia ( Figure 45 ).

Additional taxa from external area ( CHAD)

5. Stipellula tibestica (Maire) F.M. Vázquez comb. nov. ( Figure 42 ).

Type:— CHAD. Tibesti, 12 February 1940, Monod T. 7807 [holotype AIX021045 ! (digital image)] .

≡ Stipa tibestica Maire (1943: 140) . (Bas.)

Perennial. Culm erect not geniculate at base, glabrous, 35–65 cm tall; prophylls edged, without two turns dorsally to 20 mm striate surface, pubescent inter ribs. Leaves with sheaths glabrous on the stem and at the throat, free margin, smooth; ligule truncate to lacerate apex, not decurrent, 0.4–1.2 mm long, membranous, smooth not ciliated; vegetative blades culms to 22 cm long, convolute, plane to involute, abaxially smooth, adaxially scabrid to pubescent striated, scabrous to smooth on the margin, to 2 mm of diameter; fertile blades culms to 16 cm long, plane to convolute, abaxially smooth, scabrid to pubescent, adaxially, smooth on the margin, to 1.3 mm of diameter, flexuous sharp-pointed obtuse. Inflorescence to 30 cm long, panicle lanceolate, falling, loose, the axis scabrid to pilose, alternate to sub-verticillate branches, slender, sub-flexuous, scabrid to pilose, spikelet-bearing in all of inflorescence. Spikelet free, slider in flowering, the lateral pedicel of last flower to 22 mm long, scabrid; glumes narrow, unequal, lower 5–7 mm long, truncate to acute apex, upper 10–13 mm long, with short ariste to 2.5 mm, green when immature and light green to light brown when mature, 3 ribs smooth to finely scabrid; lemma slender, fusiform, 3.5–5(–5.5) mm long, homogenously pubescent, apex truncate, ciliate; callus sharp and slender, 0.7–1 mm long, villous with adpressed white hairs; palea lanceolate 1.2–2.5 mm, frequent with line hairs dorsally, apex acute; awn 5–7(–8) cm long, persistent, frequently bigeniculate, the first segment (column) ca. 1.7 cm long, twisted, scabrid-villous with ascending hairs 0.3–0.5 mm long, the second segment (genicula) like to first but shorter (<1 cm), the third segment (seta) to 6 cm long, flexuous, angled, gradually less pilose to scabrid; lodicules 3, sub-equal, the two laterals acute, lanceolate, 1 rib, apex entire, the posterior lanceolate; anthers 2.4–3.5 mm long, apiculate apex with hairs to 0.2 mm; stigma 2, plumose. Caryopsis not studied.

Phenology:—Autumn to winter (September to February)

Habitat:—Arid zones in the Tibesti mountains.

Distribution:—[Saharan]. Endemic to the Emi Koussi ( Chad) ( Figure 42 ).

Poaceae subfam. Pooideae tribe Ampelodesmeae Tutin (1978: 369) .

= Gramineae Juss. subtrib. Ampelodesminae Conert (1961: 145).

Ampelodesmeae is a monogeneric tribe whose sole genus is Ampelodesmos Link , distributed in the Mediterranean basin.

The genus Ampelodesmos is related to Stipeae , because its origin probably results from hybridation between unknown Stipeae species or between Stipeae and Phaenospermateae ( Soreng et al., 2017; Romaschenko et al., 2012). Its position remains controversy (Kellog, 2015), either included inner Stipeae , or outside Stipeae ( Romaschenko et al., 2012; 2014; Soreng et al., 2015; 2017). The latest proposal is to include both Ampelodesmeae and Stipeae inner the supertribe Stipodea L.Liu ( Soreng et al., 2017) . For these reasons, we have included Ampelodesmos in our work.

Figures

FIGURE 40. Geographic distribution of Stipellula capensis: Stipellula capensis var. capensis (red mark) and Stipellula capensis var. pubescens (blue mark) in North Africa (from checked herbarium sheets and selected bibliographical data (stars)).

FIGURE 41. Stipellula capensis var. capensis. a. Plant habitus. b. Spikelet. c. Anthecium open. d. Anthecium + Awn. e. Ligule (together Sheet + Limb fractions). e’. Ligule (Sheet + Limb fractions together) of Stipellula capensis var. pubescens. f. Awn fraction (column). g. Fertile limb leaf section. Bars indicate 1 mm in f and g; the rest 10 mm.

FIGURE 42. Geographic distribution of Stipellula: Stipellula magrebensis (red mark) Stipellula tibestica (yellow mark) and Stipellula nitens (blue mark) in North Africa (from checked herbarium sheets).

FIGURE 43. Stipellula magrebensis. a. Culm fraction + Inflorescence. b. Anthecium + Awn. c. Callus. Bars indicate 1 mm in b and c; 10 mm in a.

FIGURE 44. Stipellula nitens. a. Plant habitus. b. Spikelet. c. Anthecium open. d. Anthecium + Awn. e. Ligule (Sheet + Limb fractions together). f. Awn fraction (column). g. Fertile limb leaf section. Bars indicate 1 mm in f and g; the rest 10 mm.

FIGURE 45. Geographic distribution of Stipellula parviflora: Stipellula parviflora var. parviflora (red cicle mark) Stipellula parviflora var. pilosa (yellow mark) Stipellula parviflora var. hoggarensis (blue mark) and Stipellula parviflora var. sandwithii (red squar mark) in North Africa (from checked herbarium sheets and selected bibliographical data (stars)).

FIGURE 46. Stipellula parviflora. a. Plant habitus. b. Spikelet. c. Anthecium open. d. Anthecium + Awn. e. Ligule (Sheet + Limb fractions together). e’. Ligule (Sheet + Limb fractions together) of Stipellula parviflora var. pilosa. f. Awn fraction (column). g. Fertile limb leaf section. Bars indicate 1 mm in f and g; the rest 10 mm.