Psathyrostachys huashanica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Rhizomes short. Butt sheaths glabrous. Culms 30–40 cm long; 2–4 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 6–45 cm long; 5–6.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; rough abaxially; puberulous and pilose; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle pubescent above.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 4–9 cm long; 10–15 mm wide. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; pubescent on surface; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes cuneate; 2.7–4.2 mm long; falling with spikelet above.

Spikelets in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 3 in the cluster; the central smaller (9–13mm).

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2(–3) fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 11–19 mm long; 1.2–1.3 mm wide; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; similar; exceeding apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume subulate; 11–19 mm long; 1 length of upper glume. Lower glume surface scabrous. Upper glume subulate; 11–19 mm long. Upper glume surface scabrous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8.2–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface smooth, or scaberulous; glabrous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 8.5–14 mm long overall. Palea coriaceous. Rhachilla extension 2.8–3 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 4–5 mm long; yellow. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 4.5–6 mm long. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Baden 1992.

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