Helictotrichon turcomanicum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms 35–70 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3 mm long; 1.5–4 mm long on basal shoots. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous; puberulous; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 7–12 cm long. Panicle axis puberulous. 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; 11–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose; with 1–2 mm long hairs. Floret callus pilose. Floret callus hairs 1–2 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 4–8 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 5–9 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 5–9 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 5–14 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3.2–4.5 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

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

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Czopan 1995.

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