Elymus barbicallus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 70–80 cm long; 4–5 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths 15–20 cm long; smooth. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane; truncate. Leaf-blades 20–30 cm long; 6–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 18–22 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 20–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes scaberulous. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 8–9 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–9 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 20–30 mm long overall. Palea 8–9 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned below. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Ohwi 1995.

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