Helictotrichon sarracenorum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Basal innovations intravaginal. Culms 40–90 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2–0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades erect; persistent; 15–25 cm long; 2–4 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade venation with continuous uniform subepidermal sclerenchyma layer on the underside. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; pubescent; hairy abaxially. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 25–35 fertile spikelets.

Panicle open; linear, or oblong; 6–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels clavate.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 3 mm long; pilose; with 4–5 mm long hairs. Floret callus pilose. Floret callus hairs 3–4 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 10 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 11–12 mm long; 1–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 9–12 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; subterete below; 15–22 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 9 mm long. 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.