Polypogon monspeliensis

HABIT Annual; culms solitary, or caespitose. Culms erect, or decumbent; 6–80 cm long. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 3–15 mm long. Leaf-blades 5–20 cm long; 2–8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough adaxially, or on both sides.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; oblong, or ovate; continuous, or interrupted; 1.5–16 cm long; 1–3.5 cm wide. Panicle branches scabrous.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels linear; 0.5 mm long; scabrous.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 1 fertile florets; without rhachilla extension. Spikelets oblong; laterally compressed; 2–3 mm long; falling entire. Spikelet callus square; base obtuse.

GLUMES Glumes similar; exceeding apex of florets; firmer than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong; 1 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; keeled above; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume surface asperulous. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 4–7 mm long. Upper glume oblong; 2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; keeled above; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume surface asperulous. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex emarginate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 4–7 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 1–1.5 mm long; hyaline; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma apex dentate; 4 -fid; muticous, or awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn from a sinus; 0–2 mm long overall. Palea 1 length of lemma; hyaline; 2 -veined.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 0.3–0.5 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; obovoid. Hilum linear.

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

NOTES Aveneae. FTEA.

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