Poa argaea

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 11–35 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2 mm long; acuminate. Leaf-blades filiform; convolute; 7–15 cm long; 0.5–0.7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; 4–7.5 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading. Panicle branches flexuous; scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 4.5–5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes clavate; pilose; hairy above. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume elliptic; 2.6–3.1 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 2.6–3.1 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.7–3.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; muticous, or mucronate. Palea 2.6–3.4 mm long; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Poeae. Fl Turk 1997.

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