Elymus sclerophyllus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 100–150 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth; distally glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 12–25 cm long; 2–8 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins smooth, or scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; straight; bilateral; 8–16 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 14–28 mm long. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 15–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume elliptic; 11–15 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 1–2 mm long. Upper glume elliptic; 11–15 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1–2 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic, or oblong; 10–12 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight, or curved; ascending; 10–20 mm long overall. Palea keels scabrous. 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 Iran 1996.

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