Rice Millet - introduced (*Piptatherum milleaceum)

Native to the Mediterranean region. Perennial. C3.

Family. Poaceae (Grass family).

Identification:

• the flower cluster is an open and sparse
• the stalks are usually branched
• the glumes have sharp-pointed tips and are longer than the lemmas
• the single lemma is smooth and shining, with an awn from the summit, between two small (0.1mm) teeth
• the awn is 3-4mm long and readily falls off
• the leaves are flat or loosely rolled
• the ligule is membranous, 0.5-1.5mm long.

It is a tall grass with an open flower cluster, often growing in weedy gardens.

The sparse flower cluster, the tall size and the thin lemma with a deciduous awn make this a distinctive grass.

It is an environmental weed.

pipto: to fall; anther: an awn, referring to the deciduous awn; milliaceus: millet-like.

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