Bromus tectorum* Linn. Sp. Pl.
77 (1753).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Bromeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: Anon., Europe (LINN-93.25). LT
designated by Smith, Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinb. 42: 500 (1985).
Recent synonyms:
B. tectorum var. hirsutus.
Key references
(books and floras): [1810]. R.Brown, Prodromus (178 as Bromus
tectorum), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses
of New South Wales (177), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia,
Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (88).
Illustrations:
[2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South
Wales, 4th edn (177).
Habit. Annual.
Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 5–60 cm tall, 2–5 -noded. Leaf-sheaths
hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 2–5 mm long, lacerate. Leaf-blades 2–16 cm
long, 1.5–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence compound, a panicle. Panicle oblong, 4–18 cm long.
Spikelets.
Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile
florets (2–8), comprising 1–8 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the
apex, cuneate, laterally compressed, 10–25 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
dissimilar. Lower glume linear, chartaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 1 -nerved. Upper
glume lanceolate, 6–13 mm long, chartaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3 -nerved.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 9–16 mm long, without keel or keeled, 3–7 -nerved. Lemma surface
glabrous or indumented. Lemma apex dentate, awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal)
awn subapical or dorsal, 10–25 mm long overall. Lodicules present. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia,
Pacific, North America, and South America.
Australian
Distribution: New South Wales, Victoria.
New South Wales:
Central Coast, Southern Tablelands, South-Western Plains. Victoria:
Gippsland Plain, Riverina, Volcanic Plain.
Notes.
Introduced. Weed of disturbed areas. Flowers Sept.-Dec. Fruits Sept.-Dec.