Psathyrostachys scabriphylla

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Butt sheaths glabrous. Culms 45–60 cm long; 2 mm diam. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Culm-nodes glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 15–30 cm long; 0.5–1.2 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle pubescent above.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 5–8 cm long; 23–48 mm wide. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; falling with spikelet above.

Spikelets in pairs, or in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2–3 in the cluster; all alike.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 8–10 mm long; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures. Spikelet callus pubescent. Spikelet callus hairs 1 mm long. Rhachilla internodes elongated below proximal fertile floret. Rhachilla elongation 0.5 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; similar; exceeding apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume subulate; 25–40 mm long; 1 length of upper glume. Upper glume subulate; 25–40 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; 1.2–1.5 mm wide; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy above. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma hairs 0.7 mm long. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; with lanceolate lobes; with lobes 2.5 mm long; acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 20–30 mm long overall. Palea coriaceous.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Triticeae. Ponert 2005.

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