Piptatherum grigorjevii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 30–80 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth; distally glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–5 mm long; scaberulous on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades convolute; 0.8–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 9–20 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; dorsally compressed; 5–6.2 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 ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 5–6.2 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 3.8–4.2 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins involute; exposing palea. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 4–5 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. Tsvelev 1995.

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