Agropyron thomsonii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms 40–100 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–15 cm long; 1–3 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 3–15 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets ascending; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 10–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–8 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface asperulous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acute, or acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–10 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; with membranous margins; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface asperulous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate, or ovate; 6–9 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 10–12 mm long overall. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Disseminule comprising a floret.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Brit India 1994.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.