Avena sativa L.
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Aveneae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Avena byzantina Koch., A. fatua L. var. sativa (L.) Hausskn.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
cultivated oat
Primary Disseminule Type
spikelet, floret
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary, consisting of 2–3 fertile florets and a barren rachilla extension, cuneate, laterally compressed, (15)20–35(50) mm long, persistent on plant, remaining intact.
Glumes similar, lanceolate, (15)20–35(50) mm long (exceeding tips of florets), thinner than fertile lemma, without keels or awns, 9–11-veined, gaping, apices acuminate. Upper glume 1.5–1.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma.
Florets: rachilla persistent, pilose, tip jagged, pointed, and fractured, callus glabrous or hairs <3 mm long, disarticulation scar horizontal or oblique (in weedy forms).
Lemma lanceolate, (10)14–18 mm long, coriaceous, straw-colored, gray, or black, without keel, 7–9-veined, surface scabrous to smooth and shiny, glabrous to sporting a few hairs at base, apex bifid, teeth less than 1 mm long, awn lacking or dorsal, arising about half-way up the back of lemma, bent slightly and slightly twisted below bend to not bent, 15–35 mm long overall.
Palea keels ciliate.
Caryopsis 4–9 mm long x 1.5–3 mm wide, compressed dorsally, ventrally longitudinally grooved, light brown, densely hairy, scutellum outline typically evident, hilum linear.
Similar Species
Similar Species Comparison Chart
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI