Elymus sinoflexuosus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 30–50 cm long; 1.5–2.5 mm diam.; 3–4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades involute; 4–14 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scabrous; rough adaxially; glabrous, or puberulous; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; drooping; flexuous; bilateral; 10–16 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes 12–16 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 15–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex acute, or acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; 20–25 mm long overall; limb scabrous. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous. Palea surface glabrous. Palea apex truncate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5–2 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.