Psathyrostachys stoloniformis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Butt sheaths light brown; glabrous. Culms 40–60 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheath oral hairs lacking. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.4–0.6 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 10–17 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle pubescent above.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 7–9.5 cm long; 8–12 mm wide. Rhachis fragile at the nodes; pubescent on surface; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes cuneate; 2–4.2 mm long; falling with spikelet above.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1–2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 9–14 mm long; 1.1–1.3 mm wide; falling entire; deciduous with accessory branch structures.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; similar; exceeding apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume subulate; 8.8–14 mm long; 1 length of upper glume. Lower glume surface scabrous; pilose; hairy below. Lower glume hairs 0.5–0.8 mm long. Upper glume subulate; 8.8–14 mm long. Upper glume surface scabrous; pilose; hairy below. Upper glume hairs 0.5–0.8 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9.4–10.2 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma hairs 0.2–0.5 mm long. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3.4–7 mm long overall. Palea coriaceous. Rhachilla extension 3.4–7 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3.5–5 mm long; yellow. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 4.4–4.6 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.