Poa dzongicola

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 13–32 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–6 mm long; acute. Leaf-blades 4.7–22 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle smooth, or scaberulous above.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 6.5–16 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; 1–2 -nate; 3–8 cm long. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising (2–)3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4–7.4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.9–3.8 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume oblong; 3.3–4.3 mm long; 1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; elliptic in profile; 3.1–4.1 mm long; 1.2–1.8 mm wide; membranous; mid-green and purple; tipped with last colour; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein scabrous. Lemma lateral veins prominent; stopping well short of apex. Lemma surface smooth, or scaberulous; rough on veins. Lemma apex acute. Palea 2.6–3.4 mm long. Palea keels scaberulous; adorned above. Palea surface smooth, or scaberulous (at base). Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.9–1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Poeae. Fl Bhutan 2001.

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