Poa nemoraliformis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Butt sheaths purple. Culms 60–90 cm long; 2–4 -noded; with 0.66 of their length below uppermost node. Lateral branches lacking. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades drooping; flat; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; effuse; 10–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches 1–3 -nate; 6–7 cm long; bearing 10 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle axis with lower internodes 2–3 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets ovate; laterally compressed; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 3.1–4.2 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein smooth to scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 4.1–5 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; elliptic in profile; 4.7–5.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate; hairy above. Lemma surface puberulous; hairy on veins. Lemma apex acute. Palea keels scabrous; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Poeae. Fl China 2005.

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