Bromus rubens* Delile, nom nud. Cent. Pl. 1: 5 (1755).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Bromeae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: LT: Loefling 84, Spain (LINN-93.28). LT (as NT) designated by P.M. Smith, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 43: 500 (1985).
Key references (books and floras): [1952] C.A.Gardner, Flora of Western Australia 1 Gramineae (99), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (260), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales (176), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (88).
Illustrations: [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (260, Fig. 202), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (176).
Habit. Annual. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 5–42 cm tall. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane. Leaf-blades (1.7–)4–12 cm long, 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle elliptic or obovate, 2–10 cm long, 2–5 cm wide.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile or pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile florets (3–8), comprising 3–8 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex, elliptic or ovate or cuneate, laterally compressed, 15–30 mm long.
Glumes. Lower glume linear, membranous, much thinner on margins, without keels, 1 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous or indumented. Upper glume lanceolate, 7–13.5 mm long, membranous, without keels or keeled, 3 -nerved. Upper glume surface glabrous or indumented.
Florets. Fertile lemma 10–17 mm long, without keel or keeled, 5–7 -nerved. Lemma surface glabrous or indumented. Lemma apex dentate, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn subapical or dorsal, 7–23 mm long overall. Lodicules present. Anthers 3. Grain 8–11 mm long.
Continental Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Australasia, Pacific, North America, and South America.
Australian Distribution: Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria.
Western Australia: Irwin, Dale, Eyre, Roe, Avon, Coolgardie. South Australia: Nullabor, Flinders Ranges, Eastern, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula, Southern Lofty, South-eastern. Queensland: Darling Downs, Warrego. New South Wales: Central Coast, Central Tablelands, Southern Tablelands, Central-Western Slopes, South-Western Slopes, South-Western Plains, North Far Western Plains, South Far Western Plains. Victoria: Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plain, Grampians, Lowan Mallee, Midlands, Murray Mallee, Riverina, Volcanic Plain, Wimmera.
Notes. Introduced. Native of the Mediterranean. Widespread, favours disturbed sites, generally on sandy soils. Flowers July-Dec.
