8. Eragrostis glomerata (Walter) L.H. Dewey

Pl. 146 c, d; Map 596

Plants annual, forming tufts. Flowering stems (8–)20–80 cm long, erect or ascending, sometimes from spreading bases, glabrous. Leaf sheaths sometimes with a line of sparse hairs at the tip along the upper portions of the margins, otherwise glabrous, the ligule 0.2–0.4 mm long. Leaf blades 4–25 cm long, 3–8 mm wide, flat, glabrous or often roughened on the upper surface. Inflorescences relatively dense, narrow panicles 5–40 cm long, narrowly oblong‑elliptic in outline, the branches stiffly ascending, the axis and branches glabrous. Spikelets 2–3 mm long, 0.6–1.2 mm wide, short‑stalked, mostly appressed to the branches, with 4–8 perfect florets. Pattern of disarticulation usually beginning with the glumes, but the lemmas, paleas, fruits, and joints of the rachilla all shed. Lower glume 0.3–0.8 mm long, narrowly ovate, glabrous or somewhat roughened along the midnerve. Upper glume 0.5–1.0 mm long, ovate, glabrous or somewhat roughened along the midnerve. Lemmas 1.0–1.4 mm long, broadly elliptic‑ovate, sharply pointed at the tip, keeled, the lateral nerves relatively conspicuous, glabrous or sometimes roughened along the midnerve. Anthers 0.2–0.4 mm long. Fruits 0.3–0.8 mm long, ovate to elliptic in outline, not grooved, reddish brown. August–October.

Uncommon, known only from the Mississippi Lowlands Division (southeastern U.S. west to Missouri and Texas; Mexico, Central America, South America, Caribbean Islands). Roadsides and moist, open, disturbed areas.

Steyermark (1963) was able to document this species only from a collection dating to 1837 that he suspected to have originated from southeastern Missouri, but which lacked more specific locality data. Because the few more recently collected specimens of E. glomerata originate from highly disturbed sites, it is difficult to know whether the species should be treated as a native or introduced member of the state’s flora. However, its presence in Missouri more than 150 years ago suggests that it should continue to be treated as native.