Glyceria leptorhiza

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms geniculately ascending; 20–50 cm long; 1–2 mm diam. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3 mm long. Leaf-blades 7–10 cm long; 1.5–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; linear; 6–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 1–3 -nate. Panicle branches smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets linear; laterally compressed; 8–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume oblong, or ovate; 2–3 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong, or ovate; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3–4 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface smooth. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1.1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels wingless. Palea apex emarginate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; united; oblong; fleshy; truncate. Anthers 3; 1–1.7 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Siberia, Soviet far east, China, and eastern Asia.

NOTES Meliceae. Fl China 2005.

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