Phleum hirsutum

HABIT Perennial. Rhizomes short. Culms geniculately ascending; 40–50 cm long; rooting from lower nodes. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 10–20 cm long; 3–9 mm wide; flaccid. Leaf-blade surface smooth. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 4–7 cm long; 1 cm wide. Primary panicle branches accrescent to a central axis; with evident branchlets on axis.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels oblong.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 3.5–4 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume oblong; 3.5–4 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein ciliate. Lower glume surface puberulous. Lower glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 0.5–1 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 3.5–4 mm long; 1.3 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein ciliate. Upper glume surface puberulous. Upper glume apex acuminate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 0.5–1 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 3 mm long; membranous; light brown; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface puberulous. Lemma apex obtuse.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 1.5–2 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Asia-temperate: Caucasus and western Asia.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Iran 1993.

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