life
cycle - perennial, reproducing by seed and short,
scaly rhizomes that slowly expand to form large clumps growth
habit 1, growth
habit 2
culms – upright,
stout, solid, glabrous branching above, grooved on one side,
nodes often bluish in color
leaves - blades flat to rolled inward toward top, margins very rough,
long hairs near the base, tapering to sharp pointed tip, prominent
midvein; rolled in bud; auricles absent; ligule
membranous, short; margins fringed with hair; sheaths open, slightly
keeled, smooth, often with purple base, lower sheaths sometimes
with long silky hairs
seedheads – panicle of 2-6 racemes, racemes usually consisting
of 3 digitate racemes, resemble a “turkey’s foot”,
terminal
