Stipa heptapotamica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 35–55 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths puberulous. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 0.5 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 0.4–0.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; smooth, or scabrous; rough abaxially; puberulous; hairy adaxially. Leaf-blade apex hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 10–20 cm long; bearing few spikelets.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 15–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; curved; 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; 15–20 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 8–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 110–130 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb ciliate; with 1–1.2 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn puberulous; with 0.1–0.2 mm long hairs. 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.

NOTES Stipeae. Golosk 1995.

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