Holcus annuus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 20–100 cm long. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 2–8 cm long; 1–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle contracted; elliptic; 5–8 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3–5 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes elongated below proximal fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 3–5 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface pubescent. Lower glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0.5–1 mm long. Upper glume elliptic; 3–5 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume lateral veins ribbed. Upper glume surface pubescent. Upper glume apex acute; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1.5–6 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 1.5–2 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; 3–5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; male; elliptic; 1.5–2 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns dorsal; hooked; 2–3 mm long (exserted).

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern and southeastern. Africa: north. Asia-temperate: Caucasus and western Asia. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Aveneae. =Holcus setiglumis. Fl Eur.

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