Stipa roylei

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 30–60 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface; outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; lacerate. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 15–30 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear; 15–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed. Panicle branches smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; bearded; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 9 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 10 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 2-keeled; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex obtuse.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 10 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex scabrous (retrorsely); awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn flexuous; 15–25 mm long overall; deciduous. Palea 7 mm long; 0.75 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Assam 1993.

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