Bromus alopecuros

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 10–80 cm long. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–20 cm long; 3–5 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface hirsute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; linear, or oblong; 6–20 cm long; 1–3 cm wide. Panicle branches stiff.

Spikelets appressed; solitary. Fertile spikelets sessile.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate, or ovate; laterally compressed; 24–45 mm long; 3–7 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 6–10 mm long; 0.75–0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 11–20 mm long; 0.66 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma trullate; 10–18 mm long; 3–5 mm wide; chartaceous; without keel; 7–9 -veined. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.66–0.75 way up back of lemma; spreading and briefly coiled at base of limb; flat below; 11–20 mm long overall. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.5–1.2 mm long. Ovary with a fleshy appendage above style insertion; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; hairy at apex; apex fleshy. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southeastern. Africa: north and south. Asia-temperate: western Asia. Australasia: Australia. North America: northeast USA.

NOTES Bromeae. Acedo 1996.

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