Bromus induratus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths coriaceous; purple; persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms erect; 60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; lacerate. Leaf-blades 7–15 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle axis scaberulous; glabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 30–40 mm long; 12–14 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 10 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 11–12 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 17–18 mm long; 3 mm wide; chartaceous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 3–5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 9–11 mm long overall. Palea 10–11 mm long. Palea keels ciliate. Palea surface puberulous. 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 Asia-temperate: Caucasus.

NOTES Bromeae. Zlaki 1997.

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