Stipa karataviensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect; 20–30 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous, or pubescent. Leaf-sheaths mostly shorter than adjacent culm internode; glabrous on surface; outer margin hairy. Ligule a ciliolate membrane; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 7–12 cm long; 1 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface glabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; comprising 7–10 fertile spikelets; embraced at base by subtending leaf.

Panicle contracted; linear; 6–8 cm long; bearing few spikelets.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels pubescent.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 30–35 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus evident; curved; 1 mm long; pilose; hairy on the margins; acute. Floret callus hairs 2 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 30–35 mm long; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 8–9 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn geniculate; 80–90 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb plumose; with 5–6 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn glabrous. Palea without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl USSR 1997.

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