Elymus atratus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms slender; 25–50 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 2 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; drooping; bilateral; 5–11 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 5–12 mm long.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 2–3 -veined. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acuminate; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0–4 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 2–5 mm long; 0.25–0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 2–3 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0–4 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 7–9 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn spreading; 11–12 mm long overall. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous; ciliate. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Nevski 1995.

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