Echinochloa crus-pavonis (Kunth) Schult.
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Paniceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
only var. crus-pavonis occurs in California
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
gulf barnyardgrass
Primary Disseminule Type
spikelet
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary or in clusters of 2–4, with disarticulation at base of each spikelet. Spikelet sessile or pedicelled (pedicels scabrid, <1 mm long), ovate to elliptic, dorsally compressed, plano-convex (D-shaped in profile), 2–3.5(4) mm long x 1.2–1.5(2.3) mm wide, consisting of 1 fertile floret and 1 basal sterile floret without rachilla extension.
Glumes dissimilar, ovate, membranous, without keels, surface scabrid pubescent with bristly hairs on veins. Lower glume 1.3–1.8 mm long (0.3–0.5 length of spikelet), enwrapping base of spikelet, 3–5-veined, surface hispid, apex acute. Upper glume subequal to spikelet, 2–3.5(4) mm long, 5-veined, apex cuspidate.
Sterile lemma similar to upper glume, ovate, same length as spikelet, 5-veined, surface hispid, apex acute to acuminate, awnless or awned from tip of lemma, 1–10(15) mm long. Sterile palea subequal to sterile lemma, hyaline, apex bifid.
Fertile lemma ovate to elliptic, dorsally compressed, very convex in profile, 2–3.5 mm long, indurate, pallid or yellow to light brown, glabrous, shiny, without keel, faintly 5-veined, margins involute, apex acute to acuminate, laterally pinched, strongly differentiated including being withered, glabrous or pubescent, hairs not forming a line at base. Fertile palea subequal to fertile lemma, indurate, reflexed at apex.
Caryopsis round to oblong, dorsally compressed, 1.2–1.5(2) mm long x 1–1.3 mm wide, tan, embryo 0.5–0.7 length of caryopsis, hilum ± round.
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, NZWP, NZBORIC, NZBPI