Leymus alaicus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms 60–100 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 3–6 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle antrorsely scabrous above.

Racemes 1; single; linear; bilateral; 9–14 cm long. Rhachis scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets appressed; in pairs, or in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2–3 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 13–19 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume subulate; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface scabrous. Upper glume subulate; 9–15 mm long; 1–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface scabrous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–11 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface asperulous; puberulous; hairy all along, or above. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2.5–3 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.