Chloris texensis | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Poaceae |
Subfamily: | Chloridoideae |
Genus: | Chloris |
Species: | C. texensis |
Binomial name | |
Chloris texensis Nash | |
Chloris texensis is a species of grass known by the common name Texas windmill grass. It is endemic to Texas in the United States, where it occurs on the coastal prairies. [1]
This perennial grass forms clumps of stems up to 30 to 45 centimeters tall. The leaf blades are up to 15 centimeters long. The inflorescence is a panicle with several long, spreading branches arranged in a whorl. Each branch is up to 20 centimeters long and has 3 to 4 spikelets per centimeter along the distal part. [2] Flowering occurs in October and November. [3]
This plant grows on sparsely vegetated stretches of coastal prairie, often at mima mounds. Other plants located around these mounds include Hymenoxys texana , Thurovia triflora , and Rayjacksonia aurea . [3] It may also be associated with the rare Machaeranthera aurea . [1]
This plant is threatened with the loss of its habitat due to development, especially in the Houston area. [1] [3]