Key - FSUS

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Key to Dichanthelium

Poaceae

Dichanthelium

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https://fsus.ncbg.unc.edu/main.php?pg=show-key.php&keyid=39750

1 Plants densely tufted, often cushion-forming; leaves basally disposed, the blades ascending or spreading-ascending, not forming a distinct rosette of basal leaves shorter than the culm leaves; autumnal culms branching basally or from the lower nodes

Key to Dichanthelium, Key A: Plants densely tufted, often cushion-forming; leaves basally disposed, the blades ascending or spreading-ascending,
not forming a distinct rosette of basal leaves shorter than the culm leaves; autumnal culms branching basally or from the lower nodes

1 Plants less densely or sparsely tufted, not cushion-forming; leaves well-distributed on the culm, usually much longer than the short, often broad and spreading basal rosette leaves; autumnal culms usually branching from the mid and upper nodes.

2 Spikelets 3.3-5.2 mm long

Key to Dichanthelium, Key B: Spikelets 3.3-5.2 mm long

2 Spikelets 0.8-3.2 mm long.

3 Spikelets 2.1-3.2 mm long.

4 Larger culm blades 13-25 mm wide

Key to Dichanthelium, Key C: Spikelets 2.1-3.2 mm long, larger leaves 13-25 mm wide

4 Larger culm blades < 13 mm wide.

5 Culm nodes (at least the lower) bearded

Key to Dichanthelium, Key D: Spikelets 2.1-3.2 mm long, larger culm blades < 13 mm wide,
at least the lower culm nodes bearded with a usually spreading-ascending collar of dense and/or longish hairs

5 Culm nodes not bearded, the lowermost sometimes puberulent or sparsely hairy

Key to Dichanthelium, Key E: Spikelets 2.1-3.2 mm long, larger culm blades < 13 mm wide, culm nodes not bearded,
the lowermost sometimes puberulent or sparsely pilose

3 Spikelets 0.8-2.0 mm long.