Bromus kalmii

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 75–125 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths pilose; with reflexed hairs. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3–0.7 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades erect; 7–25 cm long; 2.5–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially, or on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf. Peduncle glabrous, or pubescent above.

Panicle open; ovate; 10–15 cm long. Primary panicle branches drooping; 2–3 -nate; 2–5 cm long; bearing 1–3 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Panicle branches flexuous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 7–13 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 15–30 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–6.5 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–8 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex obtuse; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 8–10 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy all along. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 2–3 mm long overall. Palea keels ciliate. Palea surface pubescent. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long. Ovary with a fleshy appendage above style insertion; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex; apex fleshy. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION North America: western Canada, eastern Canada, north-central USA, northeast USA, south-central USA, and southeast USA.

NOTES Bromeae. Gr Indiana 1994.

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