Bromus bromoideus

HABIT Annual. Culms erect; 60–130 cm long. Leaf-sheaths glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades 5–10 mm wide.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle open; ovate; nodding; 18–20 cm long.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 5–10 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets lanceolate, or ovate; laterally compressed; compressed slightly; 25–30 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes persistent; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of upper glume; coriaceous; without keels; 3–5 -veined. Lower glume lateral veins prominent. Lower glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Lower glume apex attenuate. Upper glume lanceolate; 0.75 length of adjacent fertile lemma; coriaceous; without keels; 5–7 -veined. Upper glume primary vein conspicuous. Upper glume surface glabrous, or pubescent. Upper glume apex attenuate.

FLORETS Fertile lemma oblong; 12–14 mm long; chartaceous; without keel; 7 -veined. Lemma lateral veins prominent. Lemma surface glabrous, or pubescent. Lemma margins involute. Lemma apex dentate; 2 -fid; awned; 3 -awned. Principal lemma awn subapical; 8–12 mm long overall. Lateral lemma awns 1–3 mm long. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; membranous. Anthers 3; 2–3 mm long. Ovary with a fleshy appendage above style insertion; pubescent on apex.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; concavo-convex; 3 mm long; hairy at apex; apex fleshy. Hilum linear.

DISTRIBUTION Europe: central.

NOTES Bromeae. Fl Eur 1995.

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