Stipeae

The Stipeae are a tribe of grasses within the subfamily Pooidae, with up to 600 described species. The defining morphological features of the Stipeae include single-flowered spikelets lacking a rachilla extension, and the lemmas (the external bract) have either a sharp point or a terminal awn (long bristle). The tribe includes 28 genera: Many species initially placed into Stipa have now been split off into new genera. Some recent papers have analysed relationships within and between the genera, but a complete analysis has not yet been performed. Stipoid grasses use the C3 photosynthetic pathway and live in temperate areas worldwide. Known fossils date from the late Miocene.