Phleum arenarium

HABIT Annual; culms solitary, or caespitose. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 1–15(–20) cm long; 1–4 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 4–7 mm long. Leaf-blades 0.5–6 cm long; 1–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear, or obovate; tapering below; 0.5–5 cm long; 0.3–0.7 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with lateral stumps on axis. Panicle axis with rounded ribs.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets lanceolate, or oblong; laterally compressed; acute; 3–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume oblong; 3–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 2–3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume apex acute; muticous. Upper glume oblong; 3–4 mm long; 3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 2–3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume apex acute; muticous.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1.5–2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5–7 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex truncate. Palea 1 length of lemma.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 0.3–1 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern, central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Africa: north. Asia-temperate: western Asia. Australasia: Australia.

NOTES Aveneae. CEH.

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