Stipa
feather grass; the typical genus of Stipex. Inflorescence an erect, somewhat contracted panicle ; spikelets one-flowered; glumes two, membranaceous, larger than the floret, outer one involute, with a very long, twisted awn, which finally separates at a joint near its base. Steudel describes 104 species.
They are widely distributed, but are most abundant in warm countries. S. pennata is the common feather grass. It has rigid, setaceous, grooved leaves, and exceedingly long awns, feathery at the point. It is very ornamental in gardens in summer, and if gathered before the seeds are ripe it retains its long feathery awns, and is sometimes dyed of various colors and used for decorative purposes.
STIRLINGSHIRE