Festuca chayuensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 15–20 cm long; 1 -noded. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Leaf-sheath auricles erect. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.4–0.6 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 5–8 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; loose; 5–7 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1 -nate; 2–3 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; laterally compressed; 8–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–3 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface smooth. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels. Upper glume surface smooth. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 5–6 mm long; chartaceous; purple; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous, or pubescent. Lemma apex acute; mucronate. Principal lemma awn 2–3 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.2 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Poeae. Fl China 2005.

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