Helictotrichon pungens

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms robust; 50–80 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 8–10 mm long; 2–2.5 mm long on basal shoots; acute. Leaf-blades aciculate; terete; 1.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation without layer of subepidermal sclerenchyma masking vein striation. Leaf-blade surface ungrooved. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear, or oblong; 12–17 cm long. Primary panicle branches 2 -nate; bearing 2–3 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle branches smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels smooth.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 3 mm long; pilose; hairy above; with 2–3 mm long hairs. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 10 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 14 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; widest at 0.66 of its length from base; 14 mm long; cartilaginous; purple; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma apex entire; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; flat below; 15–20 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea keels ciliolate. 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 Europe: southwestern.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Eur 1995.

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