Stipa aliena

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 30 cm long; 1 mm diam. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–1.5 mm long; truncate, or obtuse. Leaf-blades convolute; 5–10 cm long; 1.5–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; smooth.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 20 fertile spikelets; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; 17 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2 -nate; 4–7 cm long; bearing 2–3 fertile spikelets on each lower branch.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1.5–4 mm long; puberulous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 11–13 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 1 mm long; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; yellow, or light brown; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 11–13 mm long; membranous; yellow, or light brown; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 8 mm long; coriaceous; light brown; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; with conspicuous apical hairs. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma hairs 1.5 mm long. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 20–27 mm long overall; with twisted column. Middle segment of lemma awn 4–5 mm long; puberulous. Column of lemma awn 4–5 mm long; pubescent. Palea 2 -veined; 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: China.

NOTES Stipeae. Keng 1995.

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