Avena saxatilis

HABIT Annual; caespitose; clumped densely. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 7–25 cm long. Culm-nodes glabrous. Lateral branches lacking. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.3–1 mm long. Leaf-blades 3–6 cm long; 0.5–1.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; elliptic; 5–10 cm long.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–3 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate; laterally compressed; 15–18 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose. Floret callus evident; bearded; obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 15–18 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume elliptic; 15–18 mm long; 1.7–1.8 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 9–10 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous; rough above; pilose; hairy below. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.5 way up back of lemma; geniculate; 15–30 mm long overall; with twisted column. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 3–4 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea keels ciliolate.

FLOWER Anthers 3. Ovary pubescent all over.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; sulcate on hilar side; hairy all over. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southeastern.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Eur 1997.

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