Elymus kingianus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 35–70 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; truncate. Collar glabrous. Leaf-blades 3–6 mm wide; mid-green. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 7–15 cm long; bearing 6–12 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–12 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; curved; laterally compressed; 10–22 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose; with 1–2 mm long hairs. Floret callus bearded.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–7 -veined. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3–7 -veined. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–13 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex acute; muticous, or mucronate, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1–5 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 3–5 mm long; purple. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Australasia: Australia and New Zealand.

NOTES Triticeae. Connor 1994.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Callus beard in an incomplete ring.

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