Piptatherum blancheanum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 50–90 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths smooth, or scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–10 mm long; obtuse, or acute. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface papillose; rough abaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 6–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches ascending, or spreading; 1–2 -nate. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; dorsally compressed; 7–9 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 7–9 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; dorsally compressed; 4–5 mm long; coriaceous; shiny; without keel. Lemma margins involute; exposing palea. Lemma apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn straight; 4.5–6 mm long overall; persistent. Palea coriaceous; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3; 1 mm long. Anthers 3; 2.8–3.6 mm long; anther tip smooth.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 3–3.5 mm long.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Turk 1993.

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