Stipa duthiei

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 100–160 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; obtuse. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 30–45 cm long; 2–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; effuse; 20–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches 4–7 cm long. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 10–12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; hyaline; pallid; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–12 mm long; hyaline; pallid; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 6–7 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 15 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn pubescent. 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: China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Brit India 1994.

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