Stipa concinna

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm. Culms 8–22 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–2 mm long. Leaf-blades flexuous; filiform; involute; 0.5–0.8 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 2.5–5 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 4.5–6.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; 0.4 mm long; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 1(–3) -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4.5–6.5 mm long; membranous; purple; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 3.5–5 mm long; membranous; light brown; without keel. Lemma surface pilose; hairy below. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; with lobes 0.3–0.5 mm long; emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 10–15 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 0.75–1 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn plumose; with 0.75–1 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; anther tip penicillate. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Pak 1993.

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