Leptochloa fusca (L.) Kunth
ssp. fascicularis (Lam.) N. Snow
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Eragrostideae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Leptochloa imbricata Thunb., Festuca fascicularis Lam.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
bearded sprangletop
Primary Disseminule Type
floret
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary, consisting of 6–12 fertile florets with similar-looking though diminished sterile florets at apex, elliptic, slightly laterally compressed, 5–12 mm long, whitish to grayish-green. Disarticulation below each fertile floret.
Glumes persistent, similar, shorter than spikelet, membranous, keeled, 1-veined, apices acute to acuminate or obtuse. Lower glume lanceolate, sometimes asymmetric, 2–3 mm long, 0.6–0.7 length of upper glume. Upper glume elliptic or oblong to ovate, 2.5–5 mm long.
Fertile florets: rachilla persistent, callus pointed, pubescent, scar oblique.
Lemma lanceolate, 3.5–5 mm long, dorsally compressed, membranous, smokey white at maturity, often with dark coloring on the lower half, with rounded back (no keel) but prominently ribbed midvein, 3-veined, lateral veins prominent and located close to margins, all veins pubescent, apex acute, mucronate or 1-awned, awn 1–3.5(5) mm long, positioned between two minute teeth.
Palea 0.9 length of lemma, 2-veined, keels scabrous, surface pubescent.
Caryopsis elliptic to narrowly obovate in outline, dorsally compressed, concavo-convex in cross-section, 0.8–2 mm long x ca. 0.6 mm wide, dark orangish-brown, somewhat translucent, embryo ca. 0.5 length of caryopsis, hilum perfectly 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, NZBORIC, NZBPI