Elymus borianus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 35–100 cm long. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–22 cm long; 4.5–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; sparsely hairy; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 12–17 cm long. Rhachis flattened; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 12–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume elliptic, or oblong; 8–11 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 2–4.5 mm long. Upper glume elliptic, or oblong; 8–11 mm long; 1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 2–4.5 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate, or elliptic; 8–9.5 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; keeled above; 5 -veined. Lemma margins ciliate; hairy above. Lemma apex emarginate, or obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 12–20 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; elliptic; membranous. Anthers 3; 4–5.5 mm long. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Pak 1993.

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