Silvery Hair Grass - introduced (*Aira caryophyllea)

Native to Europe. Annual. C3.

Family. Poaceae (Grass family).

Identification:

• it has an open flower spray
• most flower stalks (pedicels) are at less than twice the length of the spikelet
• the spikelets have a two lemmas, both with a delicate awn
• the spikelets are more than 2.2mm long
• the glumes are longer than the lemma
• the flower-stalk at the base of the spikelets is tapered
• the leaves are narrow and rolled
• the ligules are membranous, pointed and toothed at tip.

Aira: Greek word for a species of Rye Grass; caryophyllea: leaves resembling that of a Carnation.

1,2,3, 4: Specimen from Newstead. The spikelets have two awned lemmas, and the tips of the flower stalks are tapered.

Scale Bar = 1 cm

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