Stipa alaica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 17–23 cm long. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.2–1 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 0.3–0.6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; smooth, or scaberulous; rough abaxially; pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 27 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pilose; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 27 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 10–12.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy all along; hairy in lines. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 120–140 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 4–6 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn glabrous. Palea without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Styles free to the base. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Zlaki 1997.

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