Elymus retusus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–80 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 1.5–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 3–8 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Spikelet callus base truncate.

GLUMES Glumes similar; subequal in width; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–5.6 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–6.5 mm long; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate to oblong; 8–11 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex acute; muticous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 2–2.6 mm long. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Pl Cent Asia 1996.

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