Stipa asperella

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 75–90 cm long; 2 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 3–5 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 6–18 cm long; 1.8–2.5 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface puberulous; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 7–9 fertile spikelets. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle open, or contracted; linear, or lanceolate; 11–13.5 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Panicle branches bearded in axils (of lowest node).

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 55–75 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated.

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 surface pubescent; hairy at base. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 55–75 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume surface pubescent; hairy at base. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 18–21.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy on veins. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 260–360 mm long overall; with 190–270 mm long limb; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 3–6 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn 60–95 mm long. Palea 2 -veined; without keels.

FRUIT Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: eastern.

NOTES Stipeae. Klok. & Oss. 2006.

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