Koeleria karavajevii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Butt sheaths thickened and forming a bulb; persistent and investing base of culm; with compacted dead sheaths. Culms erect; 12–30 cm long. Leaf-sheaths puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.2–0.7 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 5–7 cm long; 0.5–1 mm wide; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough abaxially; puberulous; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle spiciform; lanceolate; interrupted; loose; 2.5–3.5 cm long; 0.7–0.9 cm wide. Panicle axis pubescent. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets obovate; laterally compressed; 3.5–5.2 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; similar to fertile lemma in texture; shiny; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 3 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 4 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex acute. Palea gaping; 0.9 length of lemma.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.5–2.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Siberia.

NOTES Aveneae. Govoruchin 1995.

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