Helictotrichon convolutum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 47–103 cm long. Culm-internodes terete. Lateral branches lacking. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths smooth; glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3–0.5 mm long; scaberulous on abaxial surface; truncate. Leaf-blades convolute; 14–50 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide; glaucous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; oblong; 6–16 cm long; 1.5–4 cm wide. Primary panicle branches spreading; 2–6 cm long. Panicle branches flexuous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 3–12 mm long; scabrous; tip widened.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 10–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose. Floret callus pilose. Floret callus hairs 2–3.5 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 9–9.5 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–11 mm long; 0.5–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 9–21 mm long; cartilaginous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; flat below; 15–20 mm long overall; with twisted column. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 4–6 mm long. Ovary pubescent on apex.

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

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southeastern. Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Turk 1993.

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