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GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora
Descriptions
W.D. Clayton, M. Vorontsova, K.T. Harman & H. Williamson
© Copyright The Board of Trustees, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Alopecurus geniculatus
HABIT Perennial. Culms decumbent; 15–45 cm long; 1–5 -noded; rooting from lower nodes. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–5 mm long. Leaf-blades 2–12 cm long; 2–7 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially.
INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.
Panicle spiciform; linear; 1.5–7 cm long; 0.3–0.7 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with lateral stumps on axis. Panicle axis with rounded ribs.
Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.
FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2.5–3.5 mm long; falling entire.
GLUMES Glumes connate along margins below; similar; exceeding apex of florets, or reaching apex of florets. Lower glume oblong; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume apex obtuse. Upper glume oblong; 2.5–3.5 mm long; 1–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex obtuse.
FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 2.5–3.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 4 -veined. Lemma margins connate below. Lemma apex truncate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.1–0.2 way up back of lemma; 3.5–5 mm long overall; clearly exserted from spikelet. Palea absent or minute.
FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long. Stigmas protogynous; terminally exserted; pubescent. Ovary glabrous.
FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform. Disseminule comprising a spikelet.
DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern, central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Africa: north. Asia-temperate: Soviet far east and western Asia. Asia-tropical: India and Malesia. Australasia: Australia and New Zealand. North America: Subarctic, western Canada, eastern Canada, northwest USA, north-central USA, northeast USA, southwest USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: western South America and southern South America.
NOTES Aveneae. CEH.
ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS Glumes connate only at base.
Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.
