Elymus pseudocaninus

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 50–75 cm long; 3 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes purple. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 10–18 cm long; 2–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral, or bilateral; 8–9 cm long. Rhachis flattened; smooth on surface; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes 7–9 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 13–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 2 mm long; pubescent. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 9–11 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 9–11 mm long; coriaceous; with membranous margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; coriaceous; purple; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; 14–18 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2.5 mm long; yellow.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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