Elymus curvifolius

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 60–100 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 1–3 mm wide; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially; puberulous; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 13–15 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–7 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. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 6–8 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 7–8 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous, or pubescent. Lemma apex acute; muticous. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Eur 1995.

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