Trisetum persicum

HABIT Perennial. Culms 30–50 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–4.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 2.2–8 cm long; 1.2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous, or pilose; sparsely hairy.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; elliptic, or oblong; 3.5–12 cm long; 1–2.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 6.5–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes villous; with 3.5–4 mm long hairs. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous. Upper glume elliptic; 1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 7.5–8.5 mm long; membranous; much thinner above; much thinner on margins; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; geniculate; 5.5–7.5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea gaping; hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2.3–2.9 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Chrtek 2004.

ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Rhachilla hairs 2/3 length of lemma.

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