Holcus lanatus

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 20–80(–120) cm long; 2–5 -noded. Culm-internodes distally pubescent. Culm-nodes pubescent. Leaf-sheaths pilose; with reflexed hairs. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2.5(–4) mm long. Leaf-blades 4–20 cm long; 3–10 mm wide; mid-green, or grey-green. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; densely hairy; hairy on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; lanceolate, or oblong, or ovate; dense, or loose; (3–)7–14(–17) cm long; 1–8 cm wide. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels 1–4 mm long.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 4–6 mm long; falling entire. Rhachilla internodes elongated below proximal fertile floret. Floret callus pilose.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate; 4–6 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 asperulous. Lower glume apex obtuse, or acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4–6 mm long; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; chartaceous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface asperulous; pubescent; hairy on veins. Upper glume apex obtuse; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma elliptic; 2–2.5 mm long; cartilaginous; shiny; keeled; keeled above; 3–5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma. Apical sterile florets 1 in number; male; elliptic; 2–2.5 mm long. Apical sterile lemmas awned; 1 -awned. Apical sterile lemma awns subapical; hooked; 1–2 mm long (enclosed by glumes).

FLOWER Anthers 3; 1.6–2.5 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern, central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Africa: north, Macaronesia, and south. Asia-temperate: Soviet far east, Caucasus, western Asia, China, and eastern Asia. Asia-tropical: India and Malesia. Australasia: Australia and New Zealand. Pacific: north-central. North America: Subarctic, western Canada, eastern Canada, northwest USA, north-central USA, northeast USA, southwest USA, southeast USA, and Mexico. South America: Mesoamericana, Caribbean, northern South America, western South America, Brazil, and southern South America. Antarctic: Subantarctic islands.

NOTES Aveneae. TAC.

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