Avena prostrata

HABIT Annual. Culms prostrate; 15–50 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2–4 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; nodding; 10–20 cm long. Primary panicle branches spreading.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 12–15 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus glabrous; disarticulating obliquely.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 12–15 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 12–15 mm long; 1–1.1 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 11–15 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; yellow, or grey; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface pilose. Lemma apex dentate; 2–4 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 20–35 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 2–4 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea keels ciliolate.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary pubescent all over.

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

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern.

NOTES Aveneae. Ladzinsky 1997.

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