About Stipa capillata L.
Stems of Stipa capillata L. grow 20–70(–100) cm tall and have convolute leaves. The lower leaf surface is glabrous, but it is often roughened, or tuberculate-scabrid. The upper leaf surface has short hairs that measure up to 6 mm. Its leaf sheaths are smooth and longer than the internodes. Ligules are 1–2(–3) mm long on basal leaves and 15–20 mm long on upper leaves. The panicle is lax and bears numerous spikelets. Glumes measure 25–35 mm and are long-attenuate. Lemmas measure 10–12(–14) mm, with a ventral line of hairs that extends to the awn base. Awns measure 12–18(–23) cm and are slightly roughened, or scabrid. Stipa capillata L. is native to southern, south-central, and southeastern Europe, and its native range extends east into Russia, Central Asia, and parts of East Asia. It also grows naturally in the Middle East and western Himalayas. This species has been introduced to the Baltic States. Its full distribution is summarized in the table below.
