Festuca changduensis

HABIT Perennial. Culms 60–100 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–5 mm long. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous; rough on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 18–22 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading; 3–4 -nate; 9–11 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–5 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or ovate; laterally compressed; 6–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0–1.1 mm long; scaberulous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.8–3.2 mm long; 0.75 length of upper glume; chartaceous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume oblong; 3.8–4.7 mm long; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; without keels. Upper glume surface scabrous. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 4.8–5.2 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; glabrous, or pubescent. Lemma apex acute; muticous. Palea 2 -veined. Palea keels scabrous; adorned above. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Poeae. Fl China 2005.

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