Koeleria delavignei

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Rhizomes elongated. Culms geniculately ascending; 80–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 20–30 cm long; 0.75 mm wide; mid-green. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle spiciform; linear; interrupted; loose; 6–9 cm long; 1–1.5 cm wide. Panicle axis pubescent. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension, or with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–4.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3.5–4.5 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 1 mm long overall. Palea gaping; 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: eastern. Asia-temperate: Siberia.

NOTES Aveneae. Domin 1995.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Peduncle pubescent for 0.2–0.5cm.

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