Leptochloa panicea subsp. brachiata

Species category

Weed

Common name

mucronate sprangletop

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

ObovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.

Size

  • Length 0.6–0.9 mm
  • Width 0.3–0.4 mm
  • Thickness 0.3–0.4 mm

Color

White

Texture

PubescentPubescent:
Having hairs.

Lemma

Papery and pubescentPubescent:
Having hairs.
on lateral ribs

Palea

Papery and convex between margins

Other structures

Rachilla apexApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
is slightly flared.

Identification notes

CaryopsisCaryopsis:
The single-seeded fruit or grain of the grass family (Poaceae); the fruit wall (pericarp) is united with the seed coat (testa).
is dark brown, obovateObovate:
Inverted egg shaped with apical end the broadest.
and surface is striate.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Leptochloa panicea subsp. brachiata (Steud.) N.W. Snow

Synonyms

Festuca filiformis Lam.
Leptochloa brachiata Steud.
Leptochloa filiformis (Lam.) P. Beauv. 
Leptochloa filiformis (Lam.) P. Beauv. var. pulchella (Scribn.) Beetle

 Leptochloa filiformis.  Caryopsis is dark brown, obovate, and the surface is striate. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Leptochloa filiformis. Caryopsis is dark brown, obovate, and the surface is striate. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Leptochloa filiformis.  Caryopsis is dark brown, obovate, and the surface is striate. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Leptochloa filiformis. Caryopsis is dark brown, obovate, and the surface is striate. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Leptochloa filiformis.  Florets with a slightly flared rachilla apex. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Leptochloa filiformis. Florets with a slightly flared rachilla apex. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Leptochloa filiformis.  White pubescent florets. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Leptochloa filiformis. White pubescent florets. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.