Stipa dichotoma

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 15–45 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2.5 mm long; scaberulous on abaxial surface. Leaf-blades filiform; conduplicate; 0.3–0.6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; effuse; 4–10 cm long. Panicle branches flexuous; smooth.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 4–5.3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; acute.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–5.3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4–5.3 mm long; membranous; 1-keeled. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 2.5–4.5 mm long; membranous; without keel. Lemma surface scabrous; rough above; pilose; hairy below. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 10–18 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb pubescent; with 0.6–1.2 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn hirsute; with 1.8–2.5 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; 1.3–2 mm long; anther tip penicillate. Stigmas 2.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Stipeae. Pl Cent Asia 1996.

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