Glyceria caspia

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; weak; 30–60 cm long. Leaf-sheaths tubular for much of their length; with 1 of their length closed; mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; without keel; antrorsely scabrous; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.2–2 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 3–8 mm wide; flaccid. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; nodding; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches drooping; 2–5 -nate; simple.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes zig-zag.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.5–1.2 mm long; 0.5–0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1–1.8 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.8–2.5 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea bowed outwards; 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; oblong; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3; 0.5–0.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Caucasus.

NOTES Meliceae. Fl USSR 1996.

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