Corynephorus canescens

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 10–30(–45) cm long; 2–5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths scaberulous. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1.5–3.5 mm long; acute. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 2–6 cm long; 0.3–0.5 mm wide; stiff; grey-green. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; lanceolate, or oblong; 1.5–8 cm long; 0.5–1.5 cm wide.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–3 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with a barren rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3–4(–5) mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes pilose. Floret callus pubescent.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; shiny. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–4(–5) mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 3–4(–5) mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with membranous margins (white); 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; (1.6–)1.8–2.2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn dorsal; arising 0.1–0.2 way up back of lemma; with clavate limb; 2–3 mm long overall; not or scarcely exserted from spikelet; with twisted column. Column of lemma awn with bearded apex.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.2–1.6 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern, central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Africa: north. North America: northeast USA. South America: western South America.

NOTES Aveneae. TAC.

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