Bromus himalaicus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 35–70 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 15–25 cm long; 3–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 15–24 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading, or reflexed; 2–5 -nate; 5–7.5 cm long. Panicle axis scaberulous (above).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear, or oblong; laterally compressed; 20–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes scaberulous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; dissimilar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume linear; 5–7.5 mm long; 0.66–0.9 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7.5–8.5 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 8–10 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex entire; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; curved; 10–12 mm long overall; 1–1.2 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long. Ovary with a fleshy appendage above style insertion; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear, or ellipsoid; 5 mm long; hairy at apex; apex fleshy. Hilum linear; 1 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Bromeae. Fl Assam 1993.

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