Stipa nakaii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Butt sheaths pubescent. Culms erect; 60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode; pubescent (below). Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 25–30 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 20–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 2 -nate. Panicle axis scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 5–6.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate, or oblong; 5.5 mm long; 0.8–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface puberulous. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 6.5 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong, or ovate; subterete; 5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 12 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea lanceolate; 4 mm long; 0 -veined; without keels. Palea surface puberulous.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 4 mm long. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China and Mongolia.

NOTES Stipeae. Honda 1996.

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