Loliolum subulatum

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 10–20 cm long. Leaf-sheaths inflated. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long; lacerate; truncate. Leaf-blades convolute; 1–3 cm long; 0.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; unilateral; 1.5–6 cm long. Rhachis angular. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 3–6.2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes lateral (lower glume); persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.6–5.1 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume apex attenuate; mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 3–6.2 mm long; 1.5–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 1–3 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–3 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface smooth, or scabrous. Lemma apex emarginate to acute; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 0–1.5 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.5–1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 1.5–2 mm long. Hilum linear; 0.33–0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia, Caucasus, and western Asia. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Poeae. Fl Turk.

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