Elymus yangiae

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 60–110 cm long; 4–7 -noded. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate; 1.2–2 mm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3–0.6 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades 5–25 cm long; 3–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides. Leaf-blade margins ciliate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; arcuate; bilateral; 10–15 cm long; 5–8 mm wide. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 17–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1.7–2.1 mm long; pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–4.5 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 2–3 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Lower glume apex acute, or acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3–3.5 mm long; coriaceous; with membranous margins; without keels; 2–5 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough on veins. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 7–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent, or pilose. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 12–32 mm long overall. Palea lanceolate; 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back. Palea apex dentate; 2 -fid. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3.5–4.2 mm long; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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