Phalaris minor Retz.
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Poeae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Phalaris ambigua Fig. & DeNot., P. brevis Trin., P. capensis Thunb.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
littleseed canarygrass
Primary Disseminule Type
floret subtended by 2 sterile lemmas
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelets solitary, pedicelled, obovate, strongly laterally compressed, 4–6.5 mm long, consisting of 2 basal florets (primarily lemmas) and 1 fertile floret, without rachilla extension. Disarticulation above the glumes and below the sterile floret pair.
Glumes persistent, similar, exceeding apex of florets (1.5–1.6 length of adjacent fertile lemma), 4–6.5 mm long x 1.2–2 mm wide, elliptic, chartaceous, keeled, keels winged (wings 0.3–0.5 mm wide, often weakly toothed), surface smooth, 3-veined, lateral veins conspicuous, apices acute.
Basal sterile florets dissimilar (lower floret vestigial). Upper sterile lemma linear, subulate, 0.7–1.8 mm long, less than or equal to 1/2 length of fertile lemma, surface glabrous or almost so.
Fertile lemma elliptic, strongly laterally compressed, 2.7–4 mm long x 1.2–1.8 mm wide, cartilaginous, shiny, straw-colored to grayish-brown depending on maturity, keeled, 5-veined, surface pubescent, apex acute to somewhat acuminate.
Fertile palea cartilaginous, without keel, 2-veined, surface pubescent.
Caryopsis ovate, strongly laterally compressed, dark brown, 2–2.5 mm long x 0.8–1.2 mm wide, embryo 0.4–0.5 length of caryopsis, hilum linear.
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