Phleum iranicum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm. Culms geniculately ascending; 20–40 cm long. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 6–12 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; interrupted; tapering below; 4–8 cm long; 0.3–0.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets on axis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or oblong; laterally compressed; 4–4.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume oblong; 4–4.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume hairs 0.75 mm long. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0.5 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 4–4.5 mm long; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with membranous margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume hairs 0.75 mm long. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0.5 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex obtuse.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.5–2.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Iran 1993.

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