Elymus grandiglumis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Rhizomes short. Culms 40–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.6 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 1.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 4–9 cm long. Rhachis ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax; 2 -rowed. Rhachis internodes 10–15 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 9–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Spikelet callus base truncate.

GLUMES Glumes similar; subequal in width; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; muticous, or mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate to oblong; 7–9 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface hirsute. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1–5 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.5–2.2 mm long. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Pl Cent Asia 1996.

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