Poa versicolor

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms (20–)25–40(–65) cm long. Culm-internodes terete; smooth. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2.5 mm long; obtuse, or acute. Leaf-blades 4–10 cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate, or pyramidal; dense, or loose; 6–17 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending; 2–5 -nate. Panicle branches flexuous; scaberulous, or scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4(–5) fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 4–6.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes smooth, or scaberulous. Floret callus woolly.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume elliptic, or oblong; 3–3.8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 3–4.5 mm long; 0.9–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; elliptic in profile, or oblong in profile; 2.5–4 mm long; membranous; mid-green and purple; suffused with last colour; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma midvein ciliate. Lemma margins ciliate. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea keels scabrous. Palea surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy on back. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southeastern and eastern. Asia-temperate: Siberia, Soviet far east, Soviet Middle Asia, Caucasus, China, Mongolia, and eastern Asia. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Poeae. Fl Eur 1996.

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