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Info
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus etymology: Dichanthelium = "having two inflorescences" [Greek] refering to the temperate members of this genus which have differently structured spring and fall inflorescences
Species etymology: koolauense = from the Ko'olau mountains of O'ahu
Photosynthetic type: C3 (cool season)
Nativity: endemic
Map
Inflorescence
Plant
Habit
Landscape
Description
Perennials forming low tussocks or mats; culms numerous, tightly packed, densely leafy, 5-15 cm tall. Leaves short, narrow, strongly-veined, closely imbricated; sheaths puberulent, especially toward base, and ciliate; ligule minute, usually less than 0.2 mm long; blades usually 0.7-1.8 cm long and 1-1.8 mm wide, glabrous or scaberulous, tapering to a narrow, involute apex. Inflorescences of contracted panicles, or more commonly racemes of 2-3 or occasionally up to 6 spikelets, axis of inflorescence glabrous or only slightly puberulent; spikelets 2-3 mm long; first glume usually 1/2-2/3 as long as spikelet.
(Description source: O’Connor, P.J. 1990. Poaceae, pp. 1481–1604. In: Wagner W.L., Herbst D.R. & Sohmer S.H. (eds.)., Manual of the flowering plant of Hawaiʻi. Vol. 2. University of Hawaii Press & Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu )