Elymus stipifolius

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 40–90 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface, or pubescent; outer margin hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 2–3 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade margins cartilaginous; scabrous. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; bilateral; 7–15 cm long. Rhachis flattened; scabrous on margins. Spikelet packing broadside to rhachis. Rhachis internodes linear.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic to oblong; laterally compressed; 12–17 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes smooth.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 7–9 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 7–11 mm long; 0.75–1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 10–11 mm long; coriaceous; 5 -veined. Lemma apex acute; muticous. Palea keels ciliolate; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 5–6 mm long. Stigmas 2. Ovary pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: eastern. Asia-temperate: Caucasus.

NOTES Triticeae. Fl Eur 1995.

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