Trisetum velutinum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Stolons present. Culms 25–40 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Leaves mostly basal; distichous. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades involute; 4–8 cm long; 0.4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate; 5–11 cm long; 1–3 cm wide. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.8–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent; with 1.2–2 mm long hairs. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4.5–6.4 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.75 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 4.5–7.5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea gaping; hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern. Africa: north. Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Eur 1995.

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