Elymus flaccidifolius

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 35–65 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade margins ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 7–15 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes oblong.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; compressed strongly; 10–11 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 4–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 4–6 mm long; 0.66–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate, or oblong; 6 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; keeled above; 5 -veined. Lemma apex emarginate; mucronate. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southeastern. Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Eur 1997.

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