Elymus violaceus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 20–50 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth. Culm-nodes glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 4–8 cm long; 5–6 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 4–10 cm long. Rhachis flattened. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 10–16 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–16 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–7.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute; muticous. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–7.5 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute; muticous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate to oblong; 7 mm long; 3 mm wide; coriaceous; purple; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex obtuse; muticous, or mucronate. Palea 8 mm long. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Siberia. North America: Subarctic.

NOTES Triticeae. Neuman 2011.

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