Leymus lanatus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 45–85 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pruinose. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 4–7 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle smooth.

Racemes 1; single; oblong; bilateral; 6–13 cm long; 15–22 mm wide. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded. Rhachis internodes linear.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–15 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. Upper glume subulate; 6–10 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; membranous, or chartaceous; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma surface villous. Lemma hairs 2 mm long. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1.5–2 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and western Asia.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl USSR 1995.

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