Elymus laxinodis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 40–80 cm long; 1–1.5 mm diam.; 3–4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 10–16 cm long; 4–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle pubescent above.

Racemes 1; single; straight, or arcuate; bilateral; 8–11 cm long. Rhachis flattened; puberulous on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes 13–28 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–5 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; 3–4 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume margins scabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; 12–16 mm long overall. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous. Palea surface puberulous; hairy on back. Palea apex truncate, or obtuse. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis lanceolate; 6–7 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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