Stipa lingua

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 10–20 cm long. Culm-internodes antrorsely scabrous. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 3–6 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; linear; 3–6 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; subterete; 50–75 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; glabrous; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner above; without keels. Lower glume apex caudate. Upper glume lanceolate; 50–75 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; without keels. Upper glume apex caudate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 10–14 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; 120–180 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 8 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn 15–20 mm long; 0.15 length of limb; ciliate. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and western Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Iran 1995.

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