Stipa meridionalis F.M. Vázquez & Devesa, 1997

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 : 113-114

Stipa meridionalis F.M. Vázquez & Devesa ( Figure 64 (2)).

Lemma dorsal surface: Characterised by rectangular to quadrangular long cells of (10–)16–35(–42) × 21–26 µm, smooth walls more than 8–11 µm thick, thinner in the margins up to 20 µm wide, linear distribution. Short cells: main Silica cells of 8–12 × 14–18 µm, circular to oblong, sporadic in dorsal and frequent at margins, in all cases forming pairs with hook and occasionally cork cells, situated between long cells, never solitary; Cork cells 8–13 × 14–20 µm, oblong to elliptic, sporadic, in all cases with silica cells. Spines and hairs: Hooks circular to ovate base (16–)18–23 × 7–10(–11) µm high, regularly distributed between long cells, in pairs or threes with silica, cork or additional hook cells, more frequently solitary, density 10–15 hooks/100 µm 2; Prickles not observed; Macro-hairs 310–450(–540) µm long, circular base 12–15 µm, regularly distributed in rows from mid-dorsal area to lemma base.

Lemma apex surface: Characterised by long cells similar to those of the dorsal area. Short cells: Silica cells equal in size, morphology, density and distribution; Cork cells equal in size, morphology, distribution and density to dorsal. Spines and hairs: Hooks circular equal in size, morphology and distribution, denser than at the dorsal area (16–20 hooks/100 µm 2); Prickles circular to ovate base 20–28(–30) × 18–25(–27) µm and 21–65(–83) µm long, distributed at the middle of apex, up to 2 prickles/100 µm 2; Macro-hairs of circular base 14–22 µm and up to 530 µm long, located at middle and distal parts of apex.

Material studied: Morocco: Azrou, 1720 m.a.s.l., 26-VI-2020, M. Chamboleyron, ECWP n.n.; Jbel Mechkakour, 0498190/3643740, 1868 m.s.a.l., 25-V-2010, M. Chambouleyron ( ECWP s.n. (HSSrf 226)) .

Figures

FIGURE 64. Lemma surface Stipa offneri.(1) and Stipa meridionalis (2). A. Lemma central dorsal surface view. B. Lemma margin dorsal surface view. C. Lemma apical surface. lc. Long cell. sc. Silica cell. cc. Cork cell. h. Hook. p. Prickle. mh. Macro-hair. Bars indicate 100 µm.