Helictotrichon hissaricum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms 60–70 cm long. Culm-internodes scaberulous; distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades involute; 10–30 cm long; 1.5–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; oblong; 7–9 cm long. Panicle branches puberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose; with 1.5–3 mm long hairs. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 11 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 13 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 13 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 15–20 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: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl USSR 1995.

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