About Pappostipa speciosa (Trin. & Rupr.) Romasch.
Pappostipa speciosa (Trin. & Rupr.) Romasch. is a short perennial bunchgrass that grows in dense clumps, reaching a maximum height of 1 to 2 feet. Its leaf blades are less than 1 millimeter wide and rolled along their edges. The bases of the grass are stiff, and persist even as the dense clump dries out. The inflorescence grows up to roughly 2 inches long, and is dense and fluffy. Each of its spikelets is very hairy, and bears a bent awn up to about one centimeter long that is also covered in long hairs. The stiff awn and sharp tip of the spikelet make this plant's seeds hazardous to animals. The hairs on the seed help it catch on animal coats and drift on wind to facilitate dispersal. When wet, the awn twists, which helps the seed bury itself into soil.
