Elymus texensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 70–110 cm long; 4–6 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath auricles absent, or falcate; 0–1 mm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 2–9 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially; glabrous, or pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; straight, or arcuate; bilateral; 9–10 cm long; 20–25 mm wide. Rhachis ciliate on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; (5–)7–15(–22) mm long.

Spikelets appressed; in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–8 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 25–40 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume subulate; 14–24 mm long; 0–1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume subulate; 14–25 mm long; 0–1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein absent, or distinct. Upper glume lateral veins absent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–12 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface glabrous. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight, or curved; 8–25 mm long overall. Palea 7–11 mm long.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 4.5–6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION North America: south-central USA.

NOTES Triticeae. Campbell 2007.

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