Vulpia delicatula

HABIT Annual. Culms erect, or geniculately ascending; 10–35 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane; 0.1–0.3 mm long; truncate. Leaf-blades filiform; involute; 1–6 cm long; 0.2–0.8 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface pubescent; hairy adaxially.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence composed of racemes.

Racemes 1; single; arcuate; unilateral; 2–7 cm long.

Spikelets pectinate; solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 2–7 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets oblong, or cuneate; laterally compressed; 5–8 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Rhachilla internodes 0.8–1.3 mm long.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume linear; 0.3–0.8 mm long; 0.05–0.1 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 0–1 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins absent. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume lanceolate; 4.2–7.8 mm long; 0.9–1.2 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3 -veined. Upper glume apex acuminate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma lanceolate; 5–6.5 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 5 -veined. Lemma apex attenuate; awned; 1 -awned. Principal lemma awn 5–9 mm long overall. Palea 2 -veined. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Anthers 3; 2–2.6 mm long. Ovary glabrous.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; linear; 2.5–3 mm long; glabrous.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: southwestern.

NOTES Poeae. Gr Extremad 1993.

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