Phippsia algida

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms decumbent; 2–10 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.9–1.8 mm long. Leaf-blades 1–5 cm long; 0.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex hooded.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 1–3 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 1–1.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure, or two; deciduous; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 0–0.5 mm long; 0–1 length of upper glume; hyaline; without keels; 0 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume ovate; 0.2–0.5 mm long; 0.2–0.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; hyaline; without keels; 0 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1–1.5 mm long; hyaline; keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure; less than two thirds length of lemma. Lemma surface hispidulous. Lemma apex erose; obtuse. Palea 0.9 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels smooth.

FLOWER Anthers 2; 0.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; exposed between gaping lemma and palea at maturity. Hilum elliptic.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern and eastern. Asia-temperate: Siberia and Soviet far east. North America: Subarctic, eastern Canada, and northwest USA.

NOTES Poeae. WDC.

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