Elymus shandongensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 50–100 cm long; 4–7 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface; outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 8–25 cm long; 4–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough abaxially, or on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; erect, or drooping; bilateral; 7–20 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis; 2 -rowed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–8 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 15–20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Spikelet callus base truncate.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate, or elliptic; 5–8 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate, or elliptic; 7–10 mm long; 0.7–0.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate to oblong; 9–13 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 20–30 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China and eastern Asia.

NOTES Triticeae. Salomom 1996.

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