Phyllostachys flexuosa

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated; leptomorph. Culms erect; 400 cm long; woody. Culm-internodes semiterete; hollow. Lateral branches dendroid. Leaves cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base with a brief petiole-like connection to sheath. Leaf-blades lanceolate; 5–20 cm long; 6–18 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Synflorescence bractiferous; fasciculate; dense; with spathaceous subtending bracts; bracts 12–15 mm long; without axillary buds at base of spikelet; with ultimate bract subtending a compact bracteolate fascicle of spikelets; prophyllate below lateral spikelets.

Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes one the lower absent or obscure; persistent; shorter than spikelet. Upper glume linear; 10 mm long; chartaceous; 1-keeled. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 15 mm long; chartaceous; without keel. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; chartaceous.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3. Stigmas 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Caucasus and China.

NOTES Arundinarieae. McClure 2002.

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