Apera intermedia

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; slender; 10–60 cm long; 3–4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths smooth. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–6 mm long; lacerate. Leaf-blades convolute; 2–12 cm long; 1–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; linear, or lanceolate; 3–20 cm long; 0.75–1.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches appressed.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 2.2–2.8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 2.3–2.7 mm long; 0.9–1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn terminal; 0.3–0.5 mm long. Upper glume lanceolate; 2.6–2.8 mm long; 1.1–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn terminal; 0.3–0.5 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 2.2–2.5 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above. Lemma apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; flexuous; 9–10 mm long overall. Palea 0.9–1 length of lemma; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.2–1.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Endosperm liquid.

DISTRIBUTION Asia-temperate: Caucasus and western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. FW 1995.

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