Elymus curvatiformis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 20–40 cm long. Culm-internodes smooth; distally glabrous. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades convolute; 3–6 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface smooth; glabrous. Leaf-blade margins scabrous. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; straight, or arcuate; bilateral; 5–10 cm long; bearing 3–8 fertile spikelets on each. Rhachis flattened; glabrous on surface; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear. Rhachis internode tip flat.

Spikelets in pairs. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–4 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 10–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 8–11 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; much thinner on margins; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex with a unilateral tooth; setaceously attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–11 mm long; coriaceous; with membranous margins; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex with a unilateral tooth; setaceously attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 8–10 mm long; chartaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 20–30 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. Palea keels ciliolate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Iran 1999.

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