Trisetum altaicum

HABIT Perennial; caespitose; clumped loosely. Culms geniculately ascending; 15–35 cm long. Culm-internodes distally glabrous. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–3 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear, or lanceolate; dense; 4–9 cm long; 1–2 cm wide. Primary panicle branches bearing spikelets almost to the base.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 5–7 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma; shiny; gaping. Lower glume elliptic; 0.66–0.75 length of upper glume; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 0.8–0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; purple; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 4 mm long; membranous; shiny; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.66 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 5–6 mm long overall; with a straight or slightly twisted column. Palea gaping; hyaline.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Siberia, Soviet Middle Asia, China, and Mongolia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl USSR 1995.

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