Piptatherum ferganense

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms erect; 50 cm long. Leaves basal and cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–6 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 5–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 6–12 cm long. Primary panicle branches 2–3 -nate. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus curved; glabrous; obtuse; disarticulating transversely; with elliptic scar.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7 -veined. Lower glume surface asperulous; rough at apex. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 7 mm long; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous; rough at apex. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy all along, or above. Lemma margins involute; exposing palea. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight, or curved; 8 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl USSR 1995.

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