Stipa saposhnikowii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Cataphylls inconspicuous. Rhizomes short. Culms erect; 20–60 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaves basal and cauline. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2–0.7 mm long on basal shoots. Leaf-blades filiform; flat, or convolute; 1–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 2.5–4.5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 4–5.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; subequal in width; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5.5 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 2.6–3.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; straight; 2.5–4 mm long overall; without a column; deciduous. Palea 0.6 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pubescent.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia, China, and Mongolia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl USSR 1996.

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