Psathyrostachys fragilis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes short. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm; with fibrous dead sheaths. Culms 30–60 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 15–30 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; glaucous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 7–9 cm long. Rhachis fragile at the nodes. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 4–5 mm long; falling with spikelet above.

Spikelets ascending; in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 3 in the cluster; all alike.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 10–13 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; similar; exceeding apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume subulate; 35–55 mm long; 1 length of upper glume. Lower glume surface scabrous. Upper glume subulate; 35–55 mm long. Upper glume surface scabrous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–13 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; rough above. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; spreading; 40–55 mm long overall. Palea coriaceous. Palea keels scabrous. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; linear.

FLOWER Ovary beaked; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear; 1 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Caucasus and western Asia.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Iraq.

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