Stipagrostis dhofariensis

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 15–30 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Ligule a fringe of hairs. Leaf-blades aciculate; involute; 1.5–5 cm long; 1–2 mm wide; glaucous. Leaf-blade apex pungent.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear; 5–10 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 20 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; curved; 2 mm long; pubescent; with longer hairs above; pungent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 12 mm long; 0.6 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 20 mm long; 3.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5 -veined. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; subterete; 5.5 mm long; coriaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma apex acute; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn 3-branched; with 50–60 mm long limb; with twisted column; deciduous; abscissing from top of lemma; limb plumose; hairy throughout limb. Column of lemma awn 9 mm long; glabrous; without distinct apical hairs. Lateral lemma awns 30–40 mm long; shorter than principal; plumose (with naked tip). Palea without keels.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Arabia.

NOTES Aristideae. TAC.

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