Psathyrostachys daghestanica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Rhizomes short. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms 30–70 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth; distally glabrous. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2.5–6.5 cm long; 1–3 mm wide; grey-green. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; linear; bilateral; 5–6.5 cm long; 8–10 mm wide. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes cuneate; falling with spikelet above.

Spikelets in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 3 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 8–17 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; similar; reaching apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume subulate; 8–16 mm long; 1 length of upper glume. Lower glume surface scabrous; pilose. Upper glume subulate; 8–16 mm long. Upper glume surface scabrous; pilose.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–17 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3–8 mm long overall. Palea coriaceous. Palea keels scaberulous.

FLOWER Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Caucasus.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl USSR 1996.

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