Poa membranigluma

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 16–30 cm long; with 0.33 of their length below uppermost node. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades aciculate; involute; 0.7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open, or contracted; linear; 4–5 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches appressed; 1–2 -nate. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes glabrous. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 2.5–3 mm long; 0.75–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–3.5 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 4.5–5.5 mm long; chartaceous; of similar consistency on margins; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex muticous. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above; with 0.75 of their length adorned. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Poeae. Cui 2005.

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