Puccinellia kuenlunica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Basal innovations extravaginal, or intravaginal. Culms erect; 20–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–8 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 8–18 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed. Panicle branches smooth, or with occasional prickles.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4–6 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1–1.5 mm long; 0.66 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume elliptic; 1.5–2 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate, or ovate; 2.5–3.2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.7–1.2 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Poeae. Fl China 2005.

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