Leymus flexilis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms 30–70 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 1–3 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle smooth.

Racemes 1; single; linear; bilateral; 4–7 cm long; 7–9 mm wide. Rhachis pubescent on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets appressed; in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 11–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; 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; 7–10 mm long; 1–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface scabrous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 6–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1–2 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl USSR 1995.

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