Alopecurus brachystachyus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; 30–80 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long; truncate, or obtuse. Leaf-blades 5–10 cm long; 4–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

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

Panicle spiciform; oblong; 2–3.5 cm long; 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 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes connate along margins below; 0.33 of their length connate; similar; reaching apex of florets; recurved at apex. Lower glume elliptic; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; cartilaginous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume hairs 0.2 mm long. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4–5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; cartilaginous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 4–5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma margins connate below. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.25 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 10–12 mm long overall; clearly exserted from spikelet; with twisted column. Palea absent or minute.

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: Siberia, Soviet far east, China, and Mongolia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl RSSR 1996.

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