Stipa albasiensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 15–30 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; puberulous. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1–2 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; exserted.

Panicle contracted; linear; 6–9 cm long. Primary panicle branches 0.3–1 cm long; bearing 1–2 fertile spikelets on each lower branch.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 19–22 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 2 mm long; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 19–22 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; without keels. Lower glume apex setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 19–22 mm long; membranous; with scarious margins; without keels. Upper glume apex setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 7–9 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pilose; hairy in lines. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; twisted together; 55–70 mm long overall; with 40–55 mm long limb (falcate); with twisted column; deciduous; limb hirsute; with 2–3 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn hirtellous; with 0.5–2 mm long hairs (longer above).

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Stipeae. Zhao & Guo 2012.

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