Stipa araxensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms 50–100 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–7 mm long. Leaf-blades involute; 15–30 cm long; 3–4 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scabrous. Leaf-blade apex hardened.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; linear.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 70–75 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; curved; pubescent; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 70–75 mm long; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 19–21 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pubescent; hairy in lines. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea; ciliate; hairy below. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 250–350 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 5 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Styles free to the base. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Turk 1993.

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