Elymus trichospiculus

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 90–110 cm long; 1.5–2.5 mm diam.; 4–5 -noded. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths hirsute. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 6–16 cm long; 2–4.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle pubescent above.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 8–12 cm long. Rhachis flattened; pubescent on surface; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; lax.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 12–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 1.5–2.5 mm long; scaberulous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar. Lower glume lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume surface hispidulous; hairy on veins. Lower glume apex acuminate; muticous, or mucronate. Upper glume lanceolate; 5–6 mm long; coriaceous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface hispidulous; hairy on veins. Upper glume apex acuminate; muticous, or mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface villous. Lemma apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; 6–12 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels ciliate; adorned above. Palea surface glabrous. Palea apex truncate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long; yellow.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl China 2005.

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