Avena strigosa

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 60–120 cm long; 3–5 -noded. Leaves cauline. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2–5 mm long. Leaf-blades 8–25 cm long; 5–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; nodding; 8–30 cm long; 3–10 cm wide. Primary panicle branches drooping. Panicle branches scaberulous.

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

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 17–26 mm long; persistent on plant. Floret callus glabrous; disarticulating obliquely.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 17–26 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Lower glume apex acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; 17–26 mm long; 1.5–1.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 7–9 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 10–17 mm long; coriaceous; much thinner above; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma surface scaberulous; rough above; glabrous, or pilose; hairy all along, or above (when hairy). 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; 3–9 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea keels ciliolate.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2.5–4 mm long. Ovary pubescent all over.

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

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern, central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Africa: Macaronesia. Asia-temperate: western Asia. Australasia: Australia and New Zealand. South America: Brazil and southern South America.

NOTES Aveneae. CEH.

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