Leymus erianthus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–70 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long. Leaf-blades convolute; 10–35 cm long; 4–7 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially, or on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Racemes 1; single; linear; bilateral; 5–15 cm long. Rhachis scabrous on margins; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 8 mm long.

Spikelets appressed; solitary, or in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 1–2 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–27 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. Upper glume subulate; 14–18 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 14–18 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface smooth, or scaberulous; rough above. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma hairs 3–5 mm long. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 1–10 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Palea surface pubescent; hairy on back. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3–4 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis 5–6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Pat 1995.

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