Stipa badachschanica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 50–60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent; with reflexed hairs. Culm-nodes black. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–10 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 15–30 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy; hairy on both sides. Leaf-blade apex acuminate; hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 15–30 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 20–30 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; curved; 1 mm long; glabrous; pungent.

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; 20–30 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 9–11 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pilose; hairy below. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 90–140 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb hirsute; with 2 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn 50–60 mm long; plumose. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and western Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Iran 1995.

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