Character

Avena barbata

Avena fatua

Avena sativa

disarticulation

between florets which are almost always found singly,
rachillas not fractured

between florets which are almost always found singly,
rachillas not fractured

no natural disarticulation,
spikelets, pairs of florets or single florets may be found,
rachillas usually fractured

callus hairs

2–3 mm long

to 5.5 mm long

absent or short (<3 mm long)

lemma surface

densely hairy below awn

densely hairy below awn

mostly glabrous below awn

lemma tip

bifid, teeth bristle-like,
teeth 2–4(6) mm long

2–4-fid,
teeth 0.3–1.5 mm long

bifid,
teeth <1 mm long