Stipa pappiformis

HABIT Perennial; culms solitary. Rhizomes elongated. Culms 150 cm long; 5 mm diam. Culm-internodes 40 cm long. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades flat, or convolute; 45 cm long; 4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface ribbed; scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex filiform.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 25 cm long. Primary panicle branches 2–4 -nate; 5–10 cm long. Panicle branches capillary.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 2 mm long; puberulous; hairy above.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; subterete; 8–10 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus brief; 0.5 mm long; pilose; obtuse. Floret callus hairs 0.5–1 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; light brown; without keels; 3 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 8–10 mm long; membranous; light brown; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; subterete; 6–7 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 3 -veined. Lemma surface pilose; hairy below; with conspicuous apical hairs. Lemma margins convolute; covering most of palea. Lemma hairs 5 mm long. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; with lobes 1–1.5 mm long; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; geniculate; 5–6 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Palea 2 -veined; without keels. Palea surface pilose.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 3.5 mm long; anther tip smooth. Stigmas 2. Styles free to the base. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; fusiform; 3.5 mm long. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: China.

NOTES Stipeae. Keng 1995.

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