Helictotrichon hideoi

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 65–100 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 25–40 cm long; 1.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; sparsely hairy; hairy abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 6–8 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading; 2 -nate; bearing 1–3 fertile spikelets on each lower branch.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 7–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 3 mm long; pilose. Floret callus pilose. Floret callus hairs 1–2 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 7–8 mm long; cartilaginous; much thinner on margins; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.75 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 12–15 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 0.33 length of limb.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2.5–3 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

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

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: eastern Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Koyama 1994.

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