Leymus flavescens

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 60–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.5–1.5 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 3–5 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scaberulous; rough abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle pubescent above.

Racemes 1; single; erect; bilateral; 10–20 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile, or sessile and pedicelled; 2 in the cluster. Pedicels 5–15 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–9 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 12–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume subulate; 10–15 mm long; coriaceous; 1–3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Lower glume surface pubescent. Upper glume subulate; 10–15 mm long; coriaceous; 1–3 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent, or distinct. Upper glume surface pubescent.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 11–15 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface pubescent, or pilose. Lemma apex acute; muticous. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 6 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION North America: northwest USA and north-central USA.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Pac NW 1994.

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