Puccinellia altaica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Cataphylls evident. Basal innovations extravaginal. Culms 20–45 cm long. Leaf-sheaths open for most of their length; smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.6–2 mm long. Leaf-blades flat, or conduplicate; 0.6–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 5–15 cm long. Panicle branches smooth, or scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 5–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 1.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume lanceolate; 2 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.3–3 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; purple; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure; stopping well short of apex. Lemma surface glabrous, or puberulous; hairy at base. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.1–1.6 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Siberia, China, and Mongolia.

NOTES Poeae. Fl Cent Asia 1995.

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