Leymus californicus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 100–200 cm long. Leaf-sheaths hispid. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 12–25 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax.

Spikelets ascending; in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 12–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes both absent or obscure, or one the lower absent or obscure; persistent. Upper glume subulate; 0–1 mm long; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–11 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface hispidulous. Lemma apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 20 mm long overall.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA.

NOTES Triticeae. Man Gr US 1994.

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