Gaudinia fragilis* (L.) Beauv. Ess. Agrostogr. 95, 164 (1812).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Panicoideae. Tribe Poeae.
Basionym and/or Replacement Name: Avena fragilis L. Sp. Pl. 80 (1753).
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: Spain, Portugal: Herb. Linn. 43.19 (S lecto).
Key references (books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (222), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (156).
Illustrations: [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (223, fig. 168), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (162, Fig.24).
Habit. Annual. Culms erect or geniculately ascending, 10–95 cm tall, 4 -noded. Leaf-sheaths hairy. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.4–0.7 mm long, truncate. Leaf-blades 13–20 cm long, 0.6–4 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence solid, a spike. Rhachis fragile at the nodes.
Spikelets. Spikelets sessile. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile florets ((3-)4–7(-11)), comprising (3–)4–7(–11) fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex, cuneate, laterally compressed, 7–22 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume lanceolate, herbaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 3–4 -nerved. Lower glume surface glabrous or indumented. Upper glume oblong, 5–10 mm long, herbaceous, keeled, 1-keeled, 5–10 -nerved. Upper glume surface smooth or scabrous, glabrous or indumented.
Florets. Fertile lemma 4.3–9.4 mm long, keeled, 5–9 -nerved. Lemma apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn dorsal, 9–15 mm long overall, with a twisted column. Palea 2 -nerved. Anthers 3. Grain 0.5–3 mm long.
Continental Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Australasia, and South America.
Australian Distribution: South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania.
South Australia: South-eastern. Victoria: Gippsland Plain, Otway Plain, Volcanic Plain, Wannon. Tasmania: Midlands.
Notes. Native to the Mediterranean. Usually in damp habitats. Flowers Oct.-Nov
