Phleum himalaicum

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 8–30 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–3 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 6–13 cm long; 1.5–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath.

Panicle spiciform; oblong, or ovate; 1–4 cm long; 0.5–1.3 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets on axis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; acuminate; 2.5–3.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume oblong; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume surface scabrous. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0.3–0.5 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1.5–2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0.3–0.5 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1.25 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex obtuse.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and western Asia. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Pak 1993.

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