Helictotrichon altius

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 100–120 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; 2–4 cm long; bearing 1–3 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle axis with lower internodes 2–3 cm long; glabrous. Panicle branches flexuous; scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10 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 elliptic; 5 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 10 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 10 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: China.

NOTES Aveneae. Hitchc 1995.

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