Deyeuxia altaica

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms slender; 40–65 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Culm-internodes smooth. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–4 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades 2–4 mm wide; mid-green. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 5–7 cm long; 0.7–1.4 cm wide. Primary panicle branches 0.5–2 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus bearded. Floret callus hairs 0.5 length of lemma.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5 mm long; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 3–4 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid, or 4 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.1 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 3.5–5.5 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 1 length of lemma. Rhachilla extension 0.8–1.3 mm long; pilose.

FLOWER Lodicules 2. Anthers 3; 1.8–2.5 mm long. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform. Disseminule comprising a floret.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and China.

NOTES Aveneae. Pl Cent Asia 1996.

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