Elymus zhaosuensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 60–90 cm long; 2 mm diam.; 3–4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 18–20 cm long; 5–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; straight, or arcuate; bilateral; 14–20 cm long; 10 mm wide. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on surface; glabrous on surface, or hirsute on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes 7–10 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 6–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 15–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1.5–2 mm long; pubescent. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume oblong; 9–11 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate; mucronate, or awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 1–2 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 10–12 mm long; coriaceous; with membranous margins; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate; mucronate, or awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1–2 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; 5 -veined. Lemma surface villous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2–6 mm long overall. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate; adorned above. Palea apex truncate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3.5–4 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.