Elymus stebbinsii

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms 70–100 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or involute; 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 10–25 cm long. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear; 15–25 mm long.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 2 mm long; scaberulous.

GLUMES Glumes collateral; persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 10–15 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 10–15 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 12–13 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acute; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 1–8 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma. 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 North America: southwest USA.

NOTES Triticeae. Man US Gr 1995.

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