Elymus caianus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 70 cm long; 1.2–2 mm diam.; 3–4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or involute. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; arcuate; bilateral; 10–12 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes 5–12 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 12–16 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 2–2.5 mm long; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–3 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; rough above. Lemma margins scabrous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 6–8 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous. Palea surface glabrous. Palea apex truncate, or obtuse. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1 mm long; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid; hairy at apex.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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