Stipa henryi

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms 30–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 15–30 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 30 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 5–10 cm long. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 3.3–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; 0.3 mm long; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume ovate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 3.3–3.5 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 3 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 10 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column; limb puberulous. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; 0.5–0.75 mm long. Anthers 3; 2 mm long; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Stipeae. Rendle 1995.

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