Leymus multicaulis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Butt sheaths persistent and investing base of culm. Culms erect; 40–75 cm long. Lateral branches sparse. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blade base broadly rounded. Leaf-blades 10–25 cm long; 4–6 mm wide; coriaceous; stiff; glaucous. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes. Peduncle scaberulous above.

Racemes 1; single; straight, or arcuate; bilateral; 6–12.5 cm long; 5 mm wide. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; with lowest internode elongated.

Spikelets in pairs, or in threes. Fertile spikelets sessile; 2–3 in the cluster.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 8–14 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume subulate; 6–7 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; 1 -veined. Lower glume surface scabrous. Upper glume subulate; 6–7 mm long; 0.8–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; 1 -veined. Upper glume surface scabrous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 4–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 2–3 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: eastern. Asia-temperate: Siberia, Soviet Middle Asia, and China. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Iran 1993.

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