Stipa ovczinnikovii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms geniculately ascending; 25–35 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaves basal and cauline. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.1–0.4 mm long on basal shoots. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 12–17 cm long; 0.4–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets linear; subterete; 50–70 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; curved; 1.5 mm long; pubescent; hairy on the margins; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; subequal in width; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; pallid. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 50–70 mm long; membranous; pallid; without keels. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma linear to lanceolate; subterete; 13–14 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy on veins. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 230–280 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 5–8 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn 20 mm long; plumose. Palea 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl USSR 1996.

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