Agrostis microphylla

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 5–15 cm long. Leaf-sheaths longer than adjacent culm internode. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–2.5 mm long. Leaf-blades 1.5–6 cm long; 0.5–2.3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear, or lanceolate; 3–6 cm long; 0.5–0.8 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed; 0.5–2 cm long. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus pilose. Floret callus hairs 0.15 length of lemma.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume elliptic; 3.5–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 1–2 mm long. Upper glume elliptic; 3.5–4 mm long; 1.1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1–2 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3.2–3.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins excurrent. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5–0.6 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 6–7 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea 0.3 length of lemma; hyaline; 0 -veined; without keels.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum linear. Endosperm farinose.

DISTRIBUTION North America: southwest USA and Mexico.

NOTES Aveneae. WDC.

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