Stipa gracilis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 25–35 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 5–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent; with longer hairs above; acute.

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; 15 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 7 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below; hairy in lines. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 40–50 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose. Palea without keels.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl USSR 1995.

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