Stipa bhutanica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 8–32.5 cm long. Leaf-sheaths 6.8–11 cm long; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2.8–3.3 mm long; obtuse, or acute. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 5–15 cm long; 0.3–0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface smooth, or scaberulous; rough abaxially; glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 5–10.5 cm long. Primary panicle branches indistinct the panicle almost racemose.

Spikelets solitary, or in pairs. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform; 4–9 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 7–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 0.5 mm long; pilose; pungent; with circular scar. Floret callus hairs 0.7–1 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; hyaline; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 7–8 mm long; hyaline; purple; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear; subterete; 6–7 mm long; 0.7–0.8 mm wide; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy above and at base. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma hairs 0.4–0.6 mm long. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 13–16 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose. Column of lemma awn 6–7 mm long; hirtellous; with 0.7–0.9 mm long hairs. Palea linear; 4.2–5 mm long; 0.75 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pubescent. Palea apex acute.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; 1.6–1.7 mm long; anther tip penicillate. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Bhutan 2001.

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