Elymus hejingensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 60–80 cm long; 2.5–3.5 mm diam.; 3–4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 7–14 cm long; 4–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth to scabrous; rough abaxially; hirsute; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; straight; bilateral; 8–11 cm long; 6–8 mm wide. Rhachis flattened; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded. Rhachis internodes 5 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 15–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate, or ovate; 8–9 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 4–6 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 2–5 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate, or ovate; 8–9 mm long; coriaceous; with membranous margins; without keels; 4–6 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 2–5 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–11 mm long; coriaceous; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 7–12 mm long overall. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.4–1.8 mm long; yellow. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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