Bromus grandis

HABIT Perennial. Culms 100–150 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pubescent; with reflexed hairs. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 15–35 cm long; 10–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches drooping; 2 -nate; 7–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels flexuous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 20–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–14 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 12–15 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy all along. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 5–7 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Ovary with a fleshy appendage above style insertion; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex; apex fleshy. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA.

NOTES Bromeae. Man US Gr 1994.

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