Schismus barbatus (L.) Thell.
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Danthonieae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Festuca barbata Loefl. ex L.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
common mediterraneangrass
Primary Disseminule Type
floret alone or with base of spikelet attached
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary, pedicelled (pedicel linear, 0.5–2 mm long), consisting of 5–10 fertile florets with similar-looking though diminished sterile florets at apex, oblong, laterally compressed, 4–7 mm long. Disarticulation below each fertile floret, although the spikelet is deciduous (with the pedicel) and these parts may still be attached to the lowermost floret(s).
Glumes deciduous, similar, (2.75)4–5.3(6) mm long, lanceolate, membranous, without keel, lateral veins ribbed, apices acute. Lower glume 5–7-veined, typically shorter than intact spikelet. Upper glume 2 lengths of adjacent fertile lemma, 3–5-veined, margins hyaline.
Fertile florets: rachilla persistent, callus blunt, oblique, bearded.
Lemma oblong to broadly obovate, 1.75–2.5 mm long, membranous, much thinner above and on margins, without keel, 7–9-veined, veins ribbed, surface with sparse appressed pubescence between the veins or glabrous, margins with spreading hairs, apex acute to obtuse, bifid with widely triangular lobes, mucronate or awned from a sinus.
Palea 1.5–2.2(2.6) mm long, as long as or longer than lemma, hyaline, 2-veined. (Note: upper florets tend to lose some of the diagnostic characteristics.)
Caryopsis ovoid, slightly dorsally compressed, trigonous, 0.6–1 mm long x 0.6–0.7 mm wide, smooth, shiny, translucent, light orangish-brown, embryo ca. 0.4 length of caryopsis, hilum ± round.
Similar Species
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