Stipa inaequiglumis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 30–50 cm long; 0.8–1 mm diam.; 2–3 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1 mm long; scarious; entire, or erose; truncate. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 4–12(–20) cm long; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or puberulous; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 7–13 cm long; 1 cm wide. Primary panicle branches ascending; 1.5–3 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 7–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus 0.3 mm long; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; 1.1–1.4 length of upper glume; membranous; pallid, or light green; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–7 mm long; membranous; pallid, or light green; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 3–4 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma lateral veins convergent above. Lemma surface hirsute; hairy above. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma hairs 3 mm long. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 15–20 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Column of lemma awn 0.33–0.5 length of limb. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface puberulous; hairy on back.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Stipeae. Keng 1996.

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