Elymus wawawaiensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms 15–130 cm long. Leaf-sheaths 6–18 cm long; glabrous on surface; outer margin glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 13–26 cm long; 2–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; erect, or drooping; bilateral; 6–20 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 5–10 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume linear, or lanceolate; 4–10 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume linear, or lanceolate; 4–10 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate to oblong; 7–12 mm long; coriaceous; 5–7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface smooth, or asperulous. Lemma margins pubescent; hairy below. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn spreading; 10–25 mm long overall. Palea surface pubescent. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 3–6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northwest USA.

NOTES Triticeae. Carlson & Barkworth 2004.

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