Elymus praeruptus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 60–95 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 2–4 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; puberulous; hairy adaxially, or on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 9–13 cm long. Rhachis smooth on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes linear; 10–20 mm long.

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; 15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes smooth. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 10–15 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume surface smooth, or asperulous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex entire, or with a unilateral tooth; acute; mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–15 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 7 -veined. Upper glume surface smooth, or asperulous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex entire, or with a unilateral tooth; acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; spreading; 20–25 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 3–4.5 mm long. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl USSR 1995.

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