Elymus gracillimus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–65 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 7–15 cm long; 0.5–1.5 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface puberulous; hairy adaxially, or on both sides. Leaf-blade margins glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 6.5–16 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes linear; 13–22 mm long. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 15–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–8 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–11 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–11 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma apex obtuse, or acute; muticous. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Caucasus.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Iran 1995.

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