Elymus kengii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 40–70(–150) cm long; 2–3 -noded. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface, or hirsute. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 4–12 cm long; 3–5 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pubescent, or pilose. Leaf-blade margins ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle pubescent above.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; (5–)6–8 cm long; 7–10 mm wide. Rhachis scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Spikelet callus base truncate.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong, or ovate; 4.5–6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–4 -veined. Lower glume primary vein smooth, or scabrous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume oblong, or ovate; 5–7 mm long; 0.6–0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 3–4 -veined. Upper glume primary vein smooth, or scabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface hirsute. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1–6 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2007.

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