Piptatherum sogdianum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–120 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–8 mm long. Leaf-blades flexuous; flat, or convolute; 1–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 10–17 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic, or ovate; dorsally compressed; 7–9 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; light green; without keels. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 7–9 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 4.5–5.3 mm long; 0.8–1.4 mm wide; coriaceous; shiny; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below. Lemma margins involute; exposing palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 4–7 mm long overall. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3; anther tip smooth.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Zlaki 1997.

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