Helictotrichon sangilense

HABIT Perennial; culms solitary. Stolons present. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms (50–)70–80 cm long. Culm-internodes antrorsely scabrous. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 30–40 cm long; 1.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade venation distinct. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough abaxially; pilose; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 6.5–7 cm long. Primary panicle branches bearing 1–2 fertile spikelets on each lower branch.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose; with 1.5–2 mm long hairs.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–9 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 9–10 mm long; cartilaginous; mid-green and purple; bordered with last colour; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface scaberulous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 20 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 7–8 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 5 mm long; yellow, or purple.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Siberia.

NOTES Aveneae. Krasnovarov 2006.

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