Source:
SSA
Description:
Annual. Leaf blade linear, flat; ligule an unfringed membrane. Inflorescence a contracted or spike-like panicle, often cylindrical; spikelets unequally pedicelled, pedicel with a thickened tip. Spikelet linear-oblong, laterally compressed, rachilla produced as a fine hairy bristle or not produced; glumes unequal, longer than spikelet, dissimilar, lanceolate, usually membranous above and indurated at base, swollen and rounded on back near base, keeled above, 1-nerved, acuminate. Floret 1, bisexual, lemma elliptic, rounded dorsally, less firm than glumes, hyaline, finely 5-nerved, hairy, awned from back; awn capillary, geniculate and twisted in lower half, much longer than body of lemma; palea as long as lemma, elliptic, 2-lobed, 2-nerved, pilose dorsally. Lodicules 2, hyaline, glabrous. Stamens 3. Ovary subglobose, glabrous; styles plumose. Caryopsis ellipsoid. x= 7.
Distribution:
Species 2, mainly Mediterranean; 1 naturalised in sthn Afr.: *Gastridium phleoides (Nees & Meyen) C.E.Hubb., Western Cape.
Classification:
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