Cynosurus cristatus

Species category

Weed

Common name

crested dogstail grass

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 3.5 mm
  • Width 0.5 mm
  • Thickness 0.5 mm

Color

Yellowish-brown

Texture

Coarsely granularGranular:
Resembling or consisting of small grains or particles.
with short hispid hairs on the apexApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
of the lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.

Lemma

Rounded back with a short awnAwn:
A narrow, bristle-like organ, as on the glumes or lemmas of grasses (Poaceae).

Palea

Flat between the margin lines and covered by a lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
at the apexApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
.

Other structures

RachillaRachilla:
The axis of a spikelet.
is stout with a disc at the apexApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
. CallusCallus:
The hard base of grass florets or spikelets, just above the point of disarticulation.
at the base with a smooth rim.

Identification notes

LemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
has a granularGranular:
Resembling or consisting of small grains or particles.
texture at the base, which gradually becomes hispid hairs at the lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
margins and apicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
half. CallusCallus:
The hard base of grass florets or spikelets, just above the point of disarticulation.
is a fine, smooth rim sitting squarely on the base 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.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Cynosurus cristatus L.

 Cynosurus cristatus.  Florets are coarsely granular with short hispid hairs on the apex of the lemma. 
Cynosurus cristatus. Florets are coarsely granular with short hispid hairs on the apex of the lemma.