Helictotrichon adzharicum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 40 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–10 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous. Leaf-blade apex obtuse.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear, or oblong; 10–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches bearing 1–2 fertile spikelets on each lower branch.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–7 mm long; 0.66–0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 10–15 mm long overall; with twisted column. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Caucasus.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl USSR 1995.

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