Metcalfia kolakovskyi

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 15–35 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.3–2 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades filiform; conduplicate; 0.4–1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; grooved adaxially; scabrous; rough adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle, or comprising only a few spikelets; comprising 2–5 fertile spikelets.

Panicle contracted; linear; 2.5–6 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches indistinct the panicle almost racemose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 12–18 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 12–18 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–13 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous, or pubescent; hairy below. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 15–25 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 4–5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Caucasus.

NOTES Duthieeae. Tzvelev 2011.

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