Elymus alpinus

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 25–35 cm long; 5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 6–10 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous. Leaf-blade margins ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle smooth, or scaberulous above.

Racemes 1; single; erect; straight, or flexuous; bilateral; 4–6 cm long; 9 mm wide. Rhachis flattened; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes 2–3 mm long.

Spikelets appressed; in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma margins pubescent. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3–7 mm long overall. Palea 1.1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long; black. Ovary pubescent on apex.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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