Cleistogenes probatovae

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Cataphylls evident. Culms 30–50 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 0.2–0.3 mm long. Leaf-blades reflexed; convolute; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes borne along a central axis; erect; unilateral. Central inflorescence axis 4–7 cm long. Spikelet packing lax.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5.5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5–2 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.5–3 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 4–4.6 mm long; membranous; purple; keeled; 3–5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 1.6–3 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

CLEISTOGENES AND VIVIPARY Cleistogenes present; in upper sheaths.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet far east.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Tsvelev 2013.

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