Koeleria biebersteinii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths thickened and forming a bulb. Culms geniculately ascending; 25–75 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 1.5–2.5 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; oblong; 4–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 5.5–7.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet, or reaching apex of florets; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4.5–6 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex acute. Palea gaping.

FLOWER Anthers 3; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis 3–3.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: eastern.

NOTES Aveneae. Kalenczenko 2006.

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