Phleum phleoides

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms erect; 10–70 cm long; 2–3 -noded. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 1–2 mm long. Leaf-blades 5–12 cm long; 1–3.5 mm wide. Leaf-blade margins scaberulous.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; 1.5–10 cm long; 0.4–0.6 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 oblong; laterally compressed; truncate; 2.5–3 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; exceeding apex of florets. Lower glume oblong; 2.5–3 mm long; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume apex acute; mucronate. Upper glume oblong; 2.5–3 mm long; 1.3–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume apex acute; mucronate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.7–2 mm long; membranous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma surface glabrous, or puberulous. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea 1 length of lemma.

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

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; 1.3 mm long. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: northern, central, southwestern, southeastern, and eastern. Africa: north. Asia-temperate: Siberia, Soviet far east, Soviet Middle Asia, Caucasus, western Asia, China, and Mongolia.

NOTES Aveneae. CEH.

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