Achnatherum

Achnatherum is a genus of plants that includes several species of herbs belonging to the family Poaceae. Several species have been exchanged among Achnatherum and the genus Stipa; The taxonomy between the two closely related genera is still uncertain. It comprises 99 described species and of these, only 3 accepted.

Achnatherum hymenoides is useful as a food source for Native Americans. Achnatherum brachychaetum is known as a noxious weed.

Taxonomy

The genus was described by Palisot de Beauvois and published in Essai d'une Nouvelle Agrostographie 19, 146, pl. 6, f. 7. 1812. The type species is: Achnatherum calamagrostis (L.) P. Beauv.

Etymology

Achnatherum: generic name derived from the Greek words: "achne = "gluma" y ather = "stem, tongue" alluding to the motto.

Accepted species

The following is a list of the species of the genus Achnatherum accepted up to October 2014, arranged alphabetically. For each one, the binomial name followed by the author is indicated, abbreviated according to conventions and uses.

• Achnatherum arnowiae (S.L. Welsh & N.D. Atwood) Barkworth
• Achnatherum inebrians (Hance) Keng
• Achnatherum longiaristatum (Boiss. " Hausskn.) Keng & P.C. Kuo