Piptatherum grandispiculum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms 85–130 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–5 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 5–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches 2–6 in number; ascending, or spreading; 7–15 cm long. Panicle branches smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels glabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 8–9 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; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 8–9 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 5–6 mm long; 1 mm wide; coriaceous; dark brown; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins involute; exposing palea. Lemma hairs 0.3 mm long. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; 8–11 mm long overall; persistent, or deciduous. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3.5–4 mm long; anther tip penicillate.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Stipeae. Kuo & Wu 2000.

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