Trisetaria ovata

HABIT Annual; caespitose. Culms erect; 4–50 cm long. Leaf-sheaths inflated; pubescent. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 1–4 cm long; 2–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pilose.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle capitate; ovate; 0.5–3 cm long; 0.5–1.5 cm wide. Panicle branches pubescent.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or cuneate; laterally compressed; 5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes definite; glabrous, or pubescent. Floret callus glabrous.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; dissimilar; reaching apex of florets; gaping. Lower glume lanceolate; 4 mm long; 0.8 length of upper glume; cartilaginous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins unequally thickened (midrib thickened). Lower glume surface setose; hairy on veins. Lower glume apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Lower glume awn 1–1.5 mm long. Upper glume elliptic; 5 mm long; 1.4–1.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; cartilaginous; 1-keeled; 3 -veined. Upper glume surface setose; hairy on veins. Upper glume apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Upper glume awn 1.5–2 mm long.

FLORETS Fertile lemma obovate; 3.5 mm long; cartilaginous; keeled; 5 -veined. Lemma lateral veins obscure. Lemma surface pubescent. Lemma apex lobed; 2 -fid; incised 0.25 of lemma length; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; curved; 3–6.5 mm long overall. Lateral lemma awns arising on apex of lobes; 1–1.5 mm long; shorter than principal. Palea gaping; hyaline. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum punctiform.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern.

NOTES Aveneae. Fl Eur.

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