Elymus scabriglumis

HABIT Perennial. Culms geniculately ascending; 50–120 cm long; 3–5 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate; 0.5 mm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 10–20 cm long; 2–6 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 5–20 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 2–5 mm long. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets solitary, or in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; symmetrical; 7–8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 1–4 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; symmetrical; 7–8 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 0.75 length of spikelet; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1–4 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1.3–5 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Pat 1995.

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