Stipa regeliana

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 10–35 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3.5–5 mm long. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 5–10 cm long; 0.5–0.8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 5.5–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 9–12.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; curved; 0.8–1.5 mm long; pubescent; unequally 2-toothed.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute, or acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 9–12.5 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; subterete; 6–8 mm long; coriaceous; without keel. Lemma surface pilose; hairy all along. Lemma margins flat; covering most of palea. Lemma apex surmounted by a ring of hairs; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn bigeniculate; 16–23 mm long overall; with twisted column; limb puberulous, or pubescent; with 0.2–0.3 mm long hairs. Column of lemma awn 9 mm long; plumose; with 0.5–1 mm long hairs. Palea 1 length of lemma; 2 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 3. Anthers 3; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Soviet Middle Asia and China. Asia-tropical: India.

NOTES Stipeae. Fl Pak 1993.

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