Elymus sikkimensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 70–80 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2–0.3 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 12–22 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle antrorsely scabrous above.

Racemes 1; single; straight, or arcuate; bilateral; 10–18 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 13–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–7.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 6–8.5 mm long; 0.66–0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume hairs 2 mm long. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 15–22 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliolate. Palea surface puberulous; hairy on back; hairy above. Palea apex muticous, or with excurrent keel veins. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 2 mm long; yellow. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Triticeae. Bor 1994.

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