Piptatherum tibeticum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Culms geniculately ascending; 50–100 cm long; 4–5 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–5 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 4–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 20 cm long; 14 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 4 -nate. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or oblong; dorsally compressed; 3.5–4 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 ovate; 3.5–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins obscure. Lower glume surface scabrous; rough above and on veins. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume ovate; 3.5–4 mm long; 1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins obscure. Upper glume surface scabrous; rough above and on veins. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; dorsally compressed; 2.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins involute; exposing palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; 3–5 mm long overall; deciduous; limb scabrous. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Stipeae. Roshev 1996.

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