Elymus lenensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 20–40 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 1–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; straight; bilateral; 4–6 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 15–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong; 5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume apex acute; mucronate. Upper glume oblong; 7 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 2 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate to oblong; 7–8 mm long; coriaceous; keeled; keeled above; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 7–8 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Siberia.

NOTES Triticeae. Popov 1997.

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