Stipa zeravshanica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms (15–)22–37(–43) cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-nodes glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; smooth, or scaberulous; outer margin glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane, or a ciliolate membrane; (1–)2–4(–5) mm long; truncate, or obtuse. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 6–12 cm long; 0.2–0.3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; rough adaxially; puberulous; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising (5–)8–15(–20) fertile spikelets; exserted, or embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate; (5–)7–14 cm long. Primary panicle branches appressed; 1 -nate, or 2 -nate; 5–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 12.5–33 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 0.8–1.2 mm long; pilose; acute; with circular scar, or elliptic scar. Floret callus hairs (1–)1.3–1.7(–2) mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; (12.5–)14–19(–23) mm long; 1.1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner above; without keels. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; (11.5–)13–18(–21.5) mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; much thinner above; without keels. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; (5–)5.5–7(–7.8) mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; pubescent; hairy in lines (3–7 lines). Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; (42–)50–70(–78) mm long overall; with (31–)40–50(–58) mm long limb; with twisted column; limb plumose; with (2.2–)2.7–4(–4.5) mm long hairs. Middle segment of lemma awn 5–9 mm long. Column of lemma awn (6–)9–16 mm long; hirtellous; with 0.5–2.2 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; 2.8–3.3 mm long; yellow. Stigmas 2.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Nobis 2014.

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