Phleum echinatum

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 11–20 cm long; 1–4 -noded. Lateral branches lacking, or sparse. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 2.5–4 mm long; obtuse. Leaf-blades 1–6 cm long; 1.2–2.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade apex acuminate.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle; subtended by an unspecialized leaf-sheath, or an inflated leaf-sheath.

Panicle spiciform; oblong, or ovate; 1.6–2.2 cm long; 1.1–1.5 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis.

Spikelets spreading, or deflexed (proximally); solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; truncate; 3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets; recurved at apex. Lower glume oblong; 3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; much thinner on margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 4–7 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 3 mm long; 1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; with hyaline margins; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume apex obtuse; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 4–7 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous; hairy on veins. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 0.9 length of lemma.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.8–2.4 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southeastern and eastern.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Turk 1993.

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