Puccinellia micranthera

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 25–40 cm long; 2–3 -noded; with 0.33 of their length below uppermost node. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 3–8 cm long; 1.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 12–20 cm long; 5–7 cm wide; 0.5 of culm length. Primary panicle branches 5–10 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 5–8 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4–7 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; 0.5–0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume elliptic; 2 mm long; 0.5–0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; without keels; 3 -veined.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3–4 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; 0.3–0.5 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.