Bromus segetum

HABIT Perennial. Culms erect; 80–120 cm long. Leaf-sheaths striately veined; pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 20–30 cm long; 5–10 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; 15–25 cm long. Primary panicle branches drooping.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 4–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets laterally compressed; 15–23 mm long; 4–6 mm wide; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.5 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute, or acuminate. Upper glume lanceolate; membranous; without keels. Upper glume apex acute, or acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 8–12 mm long; chartaceous; without keel. Lemma apex awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 5–9 mm long overall. Palea keels ciliate. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Ovary with a fleshy appendage above style insertion; pubescent on apex.

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

DISTRIBUTION South America: northern South America and western South America.

NOTES Bromeae. Gr Peru 1995.

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