Chloris texensis explained

Chloris texensis is a species of grass known by the common name Texas windmill grass. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, where it occurs on the coastal prairies.[1]

This perennial grass forms clumps of stems up to 30 to 45 centimeters tall. The leaf blades are up to 15 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a panicle with several long, spreading branches arranged in a whorl. Each branch is up to 20 centimeters long and has 3 to 4 spikelets per centimeter along the distal part.[2] Flowering occurs in October and November.[3]

This plant grows on sparsely vegetated stretches of coastal prairie, often at mima mounds. Other plants located around these mounds include Hymenoxys texana, Thurovia triflora, and Rayjacksonia aurea.[3] It may also be associated with the rare Machaeranthera aurea.[1]

This plant is threatened with the loss of its habitat due to development, especially in the Houston area.[1] [3]

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Chloris+texensis Chloris texensis.
  2. http://herbarium.usu.edu/webmanual/info2.asp?name=Chloris_texensis&type=treatment Chloris texensis.
  3. http://www.centerforplantconservation.org/Collection/CPC_ViewProfile.asp?CPCNum=916 Chloris texensis.