Elymus distichus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms robust; 40–60 cm long. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath auricles absent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 20–40 cm long; 5–7 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface ribbed. Leaf-blade apex hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; erect; linear, or oblong; bilateral; 6–25 cm long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; semiterete; smooth on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; regular; 2 -rowed. Rhachis internodes linear; falling with spikelet above.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–11 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; (16–)28–40 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes obscured by lemmas.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; subequal in width; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 17–22 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 9–11 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface smooth. Lower glume apex truncate, or obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 17–22 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 9–11 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex truncate, or obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 15–19 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7–11 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 3 -fid. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 10 mm long. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: south. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Triticeae. Gr S Afr 1993.

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