Elymus zaquensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 45–60 cm long; 1–2 mm diam.; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Leaf-sheath auricles falcate. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades involute; 5–9 cm long. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes; embraced at base by subtending leaf, or enclosed.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 6–11 cm long. Rhachis flattened; glabrous on surface. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax. Rhachis internodes 7–18 mm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 12–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 2–3 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface glabrous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 2–5 -veined. Upper glume surface glabrous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8–9 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; glabrous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 15–30 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above. Palea apex truncate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long; yellow, or green.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; yellow; hairy at apex.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Wu & Lu 2014.

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