Leymus aemulans

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes short. Culms 50–80 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 1–2.5 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; linear; bilateral; 5–10 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 15–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume subulate; 3–5.5 mm long; 0.5 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume subulate; 6–12 mm long; 0.6–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3–4 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl USSR 1995.

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