Leymus flexus

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–100 cm long; 3–5 mm diam.; 2–3 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades convolute; 15–27 cm long; 4–5 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 15–25 cm long; 10 mm wide. Rhachis flattened; puberulous on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 8–15 mm long.

Spikelets in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 3 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 13–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.5–1.5 mm long; smooth.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume linear, or lanceolate; 9–12 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; 1–2 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or obscure. Lower glume margins ciliate. Lower glume apex awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 2–3 mm long. Upper glume linear, or lanceolate; 9–12 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; with membranous margins; 1–2 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume margins ciliate. Upper glume awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 2–3 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous, or pilose. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2–3 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3–4 mm long; yellow.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Cai 2013Koyama.

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