Stipa aktauensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms 25–30 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths antrorsely scabrous; puberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 1–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; rough abaxially; pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle open; elliptic; 6–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 40–45 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; 0.7–0.8 mm long; glabrous; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 40–45 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 10–12 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy below; hairy in lines. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 135 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 4–5 mm long hairs; glabrescent towards tip. Column of lemma awn 15 mm long; plumose; with 4–5 mm long hairs. Palea 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Styles free to the base. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl USSR 1995.

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