Neotrinia gen. nov. and Pennatherum sect. nov.in Achnatherum (Poaceae: Stipeae)

Abstract

Stipa splendens (syn. Achnatherum splendens) has been transferred to Neotrinia (Tzvelev) M. Nobis, P. Gudkovaet A. Nowak gen. nov.as N. splendens (Trin.) M. Nobis, P. Gudkova et A. Nowak, based on a comparison of the macromorphology and lemma micromorphology of the Asian representatives of the tribe Stipeae. Lemma epidermal patterns in the examined species are presented and discussed. Additionally, a new section Pennatherum M. Nobis comprising Achnatherum pelliotii, a species recently transferred to Achnatherum from Ptilagrostis is also proposed. This taxon clearly differs from Ptilagrostis by the lemma micromorphology. The species with typical maize-like lemma micromorphological pattern is apparent member of Achnatherum, however, because of having plumose awns and short, blind calluses, it was earlier included into Ptilagrostis. Achnatherum pelliotii is the only Old Word Achnatherum species, with long pilose awns, thus, we propose to place it in the new section.

Keywords

• new genus, new section, poaceae, stipeae, taxonomy.