Piptatherum coerulescens

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 50–80 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Culm-internodes scaberulous. Leaf-sheaths scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–8 mm long; obtuse, or acute. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 15–35 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous; rough abaxially; glabrous, or pilose; hairy abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 8–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading; 1–2 -nate. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 6–8.2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 6–8.2 mm long; 1.1–1.2 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; mid-green and purple; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 5.5–7.2 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; with hyaline margins; mid-green and purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 4–5 mm long; coriaceous; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute; exposing palea. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; 1.7–2.2 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; 1 mm long. Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long; anther tip penicillate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 2.5–3 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Africa: north and Macaronesia. Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Turk 1993.

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