Avena sativa

Species category

Agricultural

Common name

common oat

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

FloretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.

Shape

Lanceolate

Size

  • Length: 8 mm
  • Width: 3 mm
  • Thickness: 3 mm

Color

Yellow to light brown, depending on cultivarCultivar:
A variety of cultivated crop.

Texture

Smooth

Lemma

Encloses most of the floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.

Palea

Enclosed by lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.

Other structures

Weak awnAwn:
A narrow, bristle-like organ, as on the glumes or lemmas of grasses (Poaceae).
sometimes present; disarticulation by fracture.

Identification notes

If awnAwn:
A narrow, bristle-like organ, as on the glumes or lemmas of grasses (Poaceae).
is present, it is not well-developed and the geniculation is below the tip of the lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
. Because disarticulation is by fracture, there is no well-developed callusCallus:
The hard base of grass florets or spikelets, just above the point of disarticulation.
. A terminal floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
is sometimes enclosed within the lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
of a lower floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
.

Comments

Seed of this species is considered noxious only as a contaminant. Check individual states for interpretation.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

More information

For more information, see ISMA fact sheet.

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Avena sativa L.

Synonyms

Avena byzantina K. Koch
Avena fatua L. var. sativa (L.) Hausskn.
Avena sativa L. var. orientalis (Schreb.) Alef.

 Avena sativa.  Awn is often not present.
Avena sativa. Awn is often not present.