Elymus cheniae

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 30–60 cm long; 1.5–2.5 mm diam.; 2–4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 3–10 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 5–13 cm long; 4 mm wide. Rhachis flattened; glabrous on surface; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes 5–7 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–11 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 4–6 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex acuminate; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–11 mm long; coriaceous; with membranous margins; without keels; 4–6 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate; muticous, or mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1–3 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface glabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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