Leymus tianschanicus

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 60–120 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 10–20 cm long; 3–4 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle antrorsely scabrous above.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 15–21 cm long. Rhachis flattened; pilose on surface; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; crowded; with lowest internode elongated.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 18–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume subulate, or linear; 20–30 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 1 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous. Upper glume subulate, or linear; 20–30 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–15 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; rough below. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 15–20 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

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

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Iran 1993.

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