Elymus vulpinus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms geniculately ascending; 50–75 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–12 cm long; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 10–15 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; 1 their length apart. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume elliptic; 5–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins ribbed. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0.5–1 mm long. Upper glume elliptic; 5–7 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0.5–1 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 7 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 5–10 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northwest USA and north-central USA.

NOTES Triticeae. Man US Gr 1994.

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