Elymus hirsutus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending; 60–120 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheath auricles absent, or falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades 4–10 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; straight, or arcuate; bilateral; 6–10 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 5–7 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–7 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 5–7 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate to oblong; 7–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5–7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy above. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight, or curved; 15–20 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: Subarctic, western Canada, and northwest USA.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Pac NW 1994.

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