Alopecurus mucronatus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Butt sheaths glabrous. Culms erect; 7–14 cm long. Leaves mostly basal. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 6–10 cm long; 4 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform, or capitate; oblong, or ovate; 1.5–2 cm long; 1 cm wide. Panicle axis with rounded ribs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; laterally compressed; 4 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; recurved at apex. Lower glume oblong; 4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume surface pilose. Lower glume apex acuminate; mucronate. Upper glume oblong; 4 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 acuminate; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 4 mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.33 way up back of lemma; 4 mm long overall. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3. Stigmas protogynous; 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 1995.

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