Danthonia alpina

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms (10–)30–60(–70) cm long. Leaves mostly basal. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades convolute; 3–15 cm long; 1–2.5 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 2–5 fertile spikelets.

Panicle contracted; linear; 2–5 cm long; bearing few spikelets. Primary panicle branches simple.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 10–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; reaching apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 10–20 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–20 mm long; 2–3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 5–7 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins ciliolate. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.25–0.33 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 6–10 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 2 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged; ciliolate. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; barren; rudimentary (awn-like).

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy; glabrous. Anthers 3.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Asia-temperate: Caucasus and western Asia.

NOTES Arundineae. Fl Eur.

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