Avena abyssinica

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 70–100 cm long; 4 -noded. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 5–10 mm long; erose. Leaf-blades 15–30 cm long; 6–11 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous. Leaf-blade apex attenuate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; nodding; 20–40 cm long; 5–15 cm wide. Panicle branches scaberulous.

Spikelets pendulous; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–4 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 20–25 mm long; persistent on plant. Rhachilla internodes pilose; with 1–2 mm long hairs. Floret callus evident; bearded; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 20–25 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 20–25 mm long; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 15–18 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above and on veins. Lemma margins eciliate, or ciliate. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 36 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn 10–13 mm long. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 2–3 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea keels winged; narrowly winged; ciliolate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2 mm long. Ovary pubescent all over.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; sulcate on hilar side; 7–8 mm long; hairy all over. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Africa: northeast tropical. Asia-temperate: Arabia. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Aveneae. FTA 1993.

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