Elymus hongyuanensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 50–70 cm long; 1.3–2.5 mm diam.; 2 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 7–10 cm long; 1.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; sparsely hairy; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; drooping; bilateral; 7–10 cm long. Rhachis flattened; with scattered hairs; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes 5–12 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface smooth, or scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–6 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface smooth, or scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 5–9 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 6–11 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface scaberulous. Palea apex obtuse. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long; black.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; oblong; 4–5 mm long; hairy at apex.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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