Elymus sierrae

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes absent. Culms decumbent; 20–50 cm long; 1–2 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate; 0.5–1 mm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2–0.5 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades 1–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; grooved adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; flexuous; bilateral; 5–15 cm long; 7–12 mm wide. Rhachis flattened; ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes linear; 5–15 mm long.

Spikelets ascending, or spreading; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 15–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–9 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 3–10 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 6–9 mm long; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 3–10 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 12–16 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface smooth, or asperulous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; curved; spreading; 15–30 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–3.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northwest USA and southwest USA.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl N Amer 2007.

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