Munroa squarrosa (Nutt.) Torr.
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TAXONOMY
 
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Munroa
 
Species Synonyms: Munroa squarrosa var. flocuosa Vasey ex Beal.
Common Names: false buffalograss
 
DISTRIBUTION
 
Canada: southeastern Alberta – southwestern Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan: southwestern Saskatchewan; Hatton – Saskatchewan Landing
Ecoregion: Mixed Grassland
 
HABITAT
 
Saskatchewan: disturbed trailsides and dry plains
Associated species: Agropyron cristatum, Bouteloua gracilis, Chamaesyce glyptosperma, Cleome serrulata, Cryptantha fendleri, Monolepis nuttalliana, Polygonum aviculare, Sporobolus cryptandrus, Verbena bracteata
 
RARITY STATUS
 
Provincial Status According
to Harms (2003):
Endangered
Nature Conservancy Status:
G5 N1 S1
Saskatchewan Species at
Risk Status:
None
COSEWIC Status:
None
 
Munroa squarrosa is endangered in Saskatchewan because it is rare and regionally restricted to one small area. Local population sizes vary. Immediate or probable threats have been identified for this species.
 
SPECIES DESCRIPTION
 
Height: 3 – 15 cm, mats 4 – 40 cm wide
Roots: fibrous
Stems: annual, stolons 2 – 8 cm long, slender; erect stems much branched, scabrous, hollow, with a few long internodes which arch over or rest on ground
Leaves: blades 1 – 5 cm long, 1 – 3 mm wide, scabrous, apex pungent, margins conspicuous, white and thickened; sheaths glabrous to scabrous, open; ligules of hairs, less than 1 mm long; auricles absent
Inflorescence: panicle capitate, branches spicate, borne among the leaves of a fascicle; most subtending leaves similar to cauline leaves, at least some reduced and bearing awn-like blades
Spikelets: 6 – 8 mm long; dimorphic, lower spikelets sessile, 1 – 4-flowered; upper spikelets pedicelled, 3 – 5-flowered; all disarticulating above the glumes
Florets: glumes of first two spikelets subequal, 2.5 – 4 mm long, narrow, 1-veined; glumes of upper spikelets unequal, reduced or absent in terminal spikelets; lemmas lanceolate, scabrous, midvein excurrent forming an awn; awn 0.5 – 2 mm long, stout
Fruits: caryopsis
 
POACEAE KEY FOR GENERA FOUND IN SASKATCHEWAN
 
1 Spikelets with one fertile floret, may have one sterile or staminate floret below the fertile floret; spikelets dorsally compressed; articulation below the glumes
2
1 Spikelets with one or more fertile florets; sterile florets if present above the fertile florets; spikelets laterally compressed; articulation usually above the glumes (except Beckmannia, Leersia, Spartina, and Sphenopholis) OR with two sterile or staminate florets below the single perfect floret
10
   
2 Spikelets in pairs; glumes coriaceous; palea membranous
3
2 Spikelets not in pairs; glumes membranous; palea indurate
5
   
3 Each stem terminating in a single raceme
Schizachyrium
3 Each stem terminating in panicles with 2 to many racemose branches
4
 
4 Tufted perennials; inflorescences terminal and axillary, composed of digitate clusters; peduncles subtended by a modified leaf; rachis and pedicels white or yellow hairy
Andropogon
4 Rhizomatous perennials; inflorescences terminal, composed of elongate rachises and branched branches; rachis and pedicels yellow-brown hairy
Sorghastrum
 
5 Spikelets subtended by an involucre of 1 to many scabrous bristles (inserted below the ovary)
Setaria
5 Spikelets without an involucre of scabrous bristles
6
 
6 Glumes or lower (sterile) lemmas awned
Echinochloa
6 Glumes and lemmas without awns
7
 
7 Inflorescence a slender, spicate raceme; upper lemmas and paleas cartilaginous; ligule membranous
Digitaria
7 Inflorescence an open panicle; upper lemmas and paleas chartaceous to indurate; ligule, when present, a ring of hairs
8
   
8 At least some leaves without ligules
Echinochloa
8 All leaves with ligules
9
 
9 Basal leaves (winter rosette) different from stem leaves; spikelets obtuse to acute; second glume and sterile lemma pilose
Dichanthelium
9 Basal and stem leaves similar; spikelets acute to acuminate; second glume and sterile lemma slightly scabrous
Panicum
 
10 Spikelets with one floret; lemmas terminating in a 3-branched awn
Aristida
10 Spikelets with one or more florets; lemmas not terminating in a 3-branched awn
11
 
11 Spikelets with 2 staminate or sterile florets below the single perfect floret
12
11 Spikelets not as above
13
 
12 Spikelets with 2 staminate florets below the single perfect floret; florets brown; plant sweet smelling
Hierochloë
12 Spikelets with 2 sterile florets below the single perfect floret; florets pale or green; plants not sweet smelling
Phalaris
 
13 Spikelets unisexual, inflorescence with highly dimorphic spikelets borne in distinct regions; large aquatic annuals
Zizania
13 Spikelets unisexual or bisexual, inflorescence not highly dimorphic; annual or perennial, mostly terrestrial
14
 
14 Spikelets sessile or nearly so in a spike, usually 2-ranked (spikes may be arranged in panicles)
15
14 Spikelets distinctly pedicelled, in panicles or racemes
36
 
15 Spikelets on one side of the rachis; spikes solitary or in heads, racemes, or panicles
16
15 Spikelets in rows on opposite sides of the rachis; spikes solitary and elongate
21
   
16 Spikelets unisexual (monoecious or dioecious); pistillate spikelets in bur-like clusters
Buchloë
16 Spikelets bisexual; spikes not in bur-like clusters
17
 
17 Plants stoloniferous with pubescent stems; leaves in fascicles; inflorescence head-like and hidden among the leaves
Munroa
17 Plants not both stoloniferous and with pubescent stems, but may be one or the other; leaves not in fascicles; inflorescence not head-like and hidden among the leaves
18
 
18 Spikes comb-like, solitary or in racemes; spikelets more than 4 mm long
19
18 Spikes not comb-like, in a simple panicle or spike; spikelets less than 4 mm long
20
 
19 Stems 20 – 40 cm tall; leaves 1 – 7 mm wide; spikes 1 – 2; fertile lemma 3-cleft at apex, teeth short awned or at least sharp-pointed; plants of dry ground
Bouteloua
19 Stems 30 – 150 cm tall; leaves 2 – 15 mm wide; spikes more than 3; fertile lemma entire or with two rounded teeth; plants of moist or saline soil
Spartina
 
20 Leaves flat, 5 – 10 mm wide; inflorescence narrow; spikelets suborbicular, about 3 mm long; glumes unequal, narrow; plants of wet ground
Beckmannia
20 Leaves twisted, 1 – 2 mm wide; inflorescence open; spikelets lanceolate, about 4 mm long; glumes equal, broad; plants of dry ground
Schedonnardus
 
21 Spikelets solitary at each rachis node
22
21 Spikelets 2 or more at each rachis node
29
 
22 Spikelets oriented with the edge towards the rachis; usually with only one glume
Lolium
22 Spikelets oriented with the broad side towards the rachis; 2 glumes usually present
23
 
23 Plants annual, cultivated (usually found near the cultivated fields); lemmas eccentrically keeled, nerves converging to form an awn, or not converging at apex
24
23 Plants perennial or weedy annuals; lemmas rounded or obscurely keeled, nerves converging toward apex
25
   
24 Glumes broad, 3-nerved; lemma nerves not converging at apex
Triticum
24 Glumes linear-subulate, 1-nerved; lemma nerves converging to form an awn
Secale
 
25 Spikes distinctly pectinate, strongly flattened and comb-like; spikelets divergent; leaves relatively short and rigid; tufted annuals
Agropyron
25 Spikes not pectinate, terete or nearly so; spikelets ascending; leaves longer, not rigid; perennials
26
 
26 Glumes and lemmas blunt at apex, occasionally mucronate; stems solid
Thinopyrum
26 Glumes and lemmas acute to awned at apex; stems hollow
27
 
27 Rhizome short or absent; spike open; spikelets distant, generally shorter than internodes; glumes 4 – 6-nerved; lemma awns 1 – 2 cm long, divergent
Pseudoroegneria
27 Plants not as above
28
 
28 Glumes rigid; auricles often purplish; plants glaucous
Pascopyrum
28 Glumes not rigid; auricles yellowish-green; plants green or gray-green
Elymus
 
29 Spikelets in threes at each rachis node, 1-flowered, the lateral pair of spikelets usually reduced to awns
Hordeum
29 Spikelets in pairs at least at some rachis nodes, 2 – 6-flowered, spikelets all similar
30
 
30 Spikelets paired at lower nodes, solitary at middle and upper nodes
X Elyhordeum
30 Spikelets paired at all nodes
31
 
31 Rhizomes long, creeping and stout; spikelets mostly hairy
32
31 Rhizomes short or absent; spikelets hairy or glabrous
35
   
32 Glumes lanceolate
Leymus
32 Glumes subulate
33
 
33 Glumes purplish; lemmas densely pubescent with long, silky hairs
Leymus
33 Glumes greenish; lemmas glabrous or otherwise pubescent
34
 
34 Lemmas awnless
Leymus
34 Lemmas awned
Elyleymus
 
35 Glumes subulate, not broadened above the base or awned; lemmas awnless or with a short awn
Psathrostachys
35 Glumes narrowly lanceolate, somewhat broadened above the base, commonly awned; lemmas frequently long-awned (0.5 – 4 cm)
Elymus
 
36 Spikelets very flat and 1-flowered; glumes absent or small; stamens 6
Leersia
36 Spikelets more or less compressed but not flattened, one or more flowered; one or two glumes present; stamens 3
37
 
37 Spikelets with one perfect floret
38
37 Spikelets with two or more perfect florets
55
 
38 Lemma indurate, enclosing palea and caryopsis
39
38 Lemma thin, commonly membranous, not enclosing palea and caryopsis
45
 
39 Lemma awnless
Milium
39 Lemma awned
40
 
40 Florets plump; lemma awn weak and deciduous
41
40 Florets slender; lemma awn firm and persistent
43
 
41 Panicle diffuse; glumes sharp-pointed; lemma long, silky pubescent
Achnatherum
41 Panicle not diffuse; glumes blunt to soft-pointed; lemma glabrous to short pubescent
42
 
42 Leaves flat, to over 1 cm broad; spikelets 6 – 8 mm long, not including the awn; glumes distinctly 7-nerved
Oryzopsis
42 Leaves involute, to 2 mm broad; spikelets 3 - 5 mm long, not including awn; glumes obscurely 5-nerved
Piptatherum
   
43 Glumes at least 1.5 cm long; lemma 8 – 20 mm long, awn 10 – 20 cm long
Hesperostipa
43 Glumes 1.5 cm long or less; lemma 4 – 6 mm long, lemma awn less than 6 cm long
44
 
44 Panicle open, branches spreading or drooping (if narrow and ascending, then lower nodes of panicle glabrous and callus sharp-pointed)
Achnatherum
44 Panicle narrow, branches ascending to erect, lower nodes of panicle always villous and callus short and broad
Nasella
 
45 Florets stipitate; stamens 1
Cinna
45 Florets not stipitate; stamens usually 3
46
 
46 Lemmas awned
47
46 Lemmas awnless
51
   
47 Disarticulation below the glumes; panicle dense and spike-like
48
47 Disarticulation above the glumes, glumes persisting on mature inflorescence; panicles various
49
 
48 Glumes long-awned
Polypogon
48 Glumes awnless
Alopecurus
 
49 Callus bearing a tuft of long, straight hairs; lemma awned from the back below the middle
Calamagrostis
49 Callus glabrous; lemma awned from tip or near tip
50
 
50 Delicate annuals; lemma awned on back, but above the middle
Agrostis
50 Perennials; lemma awned from tip
Muhlenbergia
 
51 Panicles cylindrical, dense, spike-like; glumes prominently keeled or folded
Phleum
51 Panicles condensed to open but not cylindrical; glumes not conspicuously keeled or folded
52
 
52 Callus with a prominent tuft of hairs; lemma 1-nerved
Calamovilfa
52 Callus without a prominent tuft of hairs; lemma 3 – 5-nerved
53
 
53 Ligule a fringe of hairs; grain plump, globose
Sporobolus
53 Ligule membranous; grain not plump and globose
54
 
54 Panicles open; glumes surpassing the lemmas
Agrostis
54 Panicles narrow and/or glumes shorter than lemmas
Muhlenbergia
 
55 Glume shorter than first floret; spikelets with 2 – many perfect florets; lemmas, if awned, awned from the tip or bifid apex
56
55 Glume as long as first floret or longer; spikelets generally with 3 or fewer perfect florets; lemmas if awned, awned from the back
71
   
56 Panicle plumose, rachilla with long silky hairs; tall reeds
Phragmites
56 Panicle not plumose, rachilla glabrous or otherwise pubescent; not tall reeds
57
 
57 Spikelets subsessile in one-sided clusters, strongly compressed
Dactylis
57 Spikelets pedicellate or sessile but not in one sided clusters or strongly compressed
58
 
58 Lemmas 3-nerved, awnless; ligule of hairs or fringed
59
58 Lemmas 5 – 11-nerved, may be awned; ligules membranous
61
 
59 Glumes and lemmas rounded on back; spikelets with 2 fertile florets
Catabrosa
59 Glumes and lemmas keeled; spikelets with more than 2 fertile florets
60
 
60 Spikelets with 3 to many florets; glumes and lemmas thin and scarious
Eragrostis
60 Spikelets with up to 5 florets; glumes and lemmas herbaceous
Poa
 
61 Panicle with a few solitary branches; glumes papery; lemmas dissimilar, spikelet terminating in a club-shaped rudiment
Melica
61 Panicle usually compound; glumes not papery; lemmas similar, spikelet reduced at top but not modified into club-shaped rudiment
62
 
62 Lemmas keeled, awnless
63
62 Lemmas rounded (if keeled, only near tip), may be awned
64
   
63 Plants dioecious; lemmas 9 – 11-nerved, rigid, and coriaceous; leaves involute to flat, stiff; usually in saline habitats
Distichlis
63 Plants with bisexual florets; lemmas 5-nerved, herbaceous or membranous; leaves softer, commonly keeled at tip; habitats various
Poa
 
64 Lemmas distinctly 2-lobed at apex, often awned from apical notch
65
64 Lemmas entire or toothed, awn terminal
66
 
65 Callus of florets bearded; ligule sheathing the stem and continuous with front sheath
Schizachne
65 Callus of florets not bearded; ligule not sheathing the stem
Bromus
 
66 Callus of florets bearded; lemmas toothed at apex
Scolochloa
66 Callus of florets not bearded; lemmas entire
67
 
67 Lemma nerves arcuate, converging to midrib; lemmas awned
68
67 Lemma nerves parallel, not converging; lemmas not awned
69
 
68 Anthers 1; stems < 50 cm tall, annual
Vulpia
68 Anthers 3; stems frequently taller than 50 cm, perennial
Festuca
 
69 Lemma nerves 5, faint; plants of saline habitats
Puccinellia
69 Lemma nerves 7, conspicuous; plants of moist habitats
70
 
70 Leaf sheaths open; second glumes 3-nerved
Torreyochloa
70 Leaf sheaths at least partially united; glumes 1-nerved
Glyceria
   
71 Lemma awnless or with a very short awn
72
71 Lemma distinctly awned
74
 
72 Panicle spike-like; glumes unequal in length but similar in shape; articulation above the glumes
Koeleria
72 Panicle dense to open but not spike-like; glumes similar or dissimilar; articulation below the glumes
73
 
73 Glumes dissimilar, the first linear, the second wider; leaves to 5 mm broad
Sphenopholis
73 Glumes similar in shape but unequal in length; leaves to 1 cm broad
Trisetum
 
74 Awn flattened, twisted, inserted in the notch between apical teeth; ligule a tuft of hairs
Danthonia
74 Awn not flattened, awn inserted dorsally; ligule membranous
75
 
75 Lemmas 4-nerved, apex subtruncate, 2 – 4-toothed; spikelets less than 1 cm long
Deschampsia
75 Lemmas 5 – 9-nerved, apex tapering, 2-toothed; spikelets greater than 1 cm long
76
 
76 Glumes 2 – 3.5 cm long, usually 7-nerved
Avena
76 Glumes less than 1.5 cm long, usually 5-nerved
Avenula