Stipa tianschanica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 17–23 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 0.5–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed.

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

Panicle open; lanceolate; 5 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 27 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 27 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 7–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy all along; hairy in lines. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn curved; 70 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose. 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: Siberia, Soviet Middle Asia, China, and Mongolia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl USSR 1995.

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