Stipa mayeri

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 50–100 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Leaf-sheaths pubescent; outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–5 mm long; pubescent on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades conduplicate; 2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scabrous; rough on both sides; glabrous. Leaf-blade apex acute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle. Peduncle pubescent above.

Panicle contracted; linear; 10–15 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 50–75 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume surface puberulous. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 50–75 mm long; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 18–19 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous; hairy all along; hairy in lines. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 240–270 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 3–4 mm long hairs. Palea without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southeastern.

NOTES Stipeae. Martinovsky 1995.

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