Alopecurus rendlei

HABIT Annual; caespitose; clumped loosely. Rhizomes short. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 8–40 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–3 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 0.7–16 cm long; 1–3 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; subtended by an inflated leaf-sheath.

Panicle spiciform; oblong, or ovate; tapering above; 1.1–3.2 cm long; 0.9–1.1 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets 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; 5–8 mm long; falling entire.

GLUMES Glumes connate along margins below; 0.33–0.5 of their length connate; similar; reaching apex of florets. Lower glume lanceolate; gibbous; 5–8 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume apex cuspidate. Upper glume lanceolate; gibbous; 5–8 mm long; 1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume apex cuspidate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 5–8 mm long; membranous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma margins connate below; with 0.5 of their length connate. Lemma apex obtuse, or acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.1 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 7–18 mm long overall; with twisted column. Palea absent or minute.

FLOWER Lodicules absent. Anthers 3; 3.4–4.9 mm long. Stigmas terminally exserted; pubescent. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform. Disseminule comprising a spikelet.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: central, southwestern, and southeastern. Asia-temperate: western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Turk 1993.

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