Avena aemulans

HABIT Annual. Culms geniculately ascending, or decumbent; 30–120 cm long. Leaves cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–45 cm long; 4–18 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; pyramidal; effuse; nodding; 10–30 cm long. Primary panicle branches drooping.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–5 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 20–25 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating above glumes but not between florets. Rhachilla internodes 1.5 mm long. Floret callus elongated; 2–3.5 mm long; obtuse; disarticulating obliquely; with circular scar.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 1.2–1.4 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 15–20 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pilose; hairy below. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 20–30 mm long overall; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn pubescent.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.5 mm long. Ovary pubescent all over.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy all over. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: eastern.

NOTES Aveneae. Zlaki 1997.

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