Alopecurus apiatus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 30–60 cm long. Culm-internodes glaucous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 7–15 cm long; 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 1.5–4 cm long; 0.8–1.1 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets on axis. Panicle axis with rounded ribs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4.5–5 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes connate along margins below; 0.2–0.25 of their length connate; similar; reaching apex of florets; recurved at apex. Lower glume lanceolate; 4.5–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume surface pilose. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4.5–5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface pilose. Upper glume apex acute; muticous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4.5–5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous; hairy above. Lemma margins connate below. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.25 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 8–9 mm long overall; clearly exserted from spikelet; with twisted column.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3. Stigmas terminally exserted; pubescent. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform. Disseminule comprising a spikelet.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Iran 1993.

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