Hordeum secalinum* Guss., non Schreb.(1771). Spicil. Fl. Lips. 148 (1771).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Triticeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: ST?: T. Thomson, China: Xizang: western
part, 10–15,000 ft.
Recent synonyms:
Critesion secalinum.
Key references
(books and floras): [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass, Grasses of
Australia, [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae
2 (112).
Illustrations:
[2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (113,
Fig 17).
Habit. Annual
or perennial. Culms erect, 20–80 cm tall, 3–5 -noded. Leaf-sheath auricles
absent, or present. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 0.5–1 mm long, membranous.
Leaf-blades flat, 2–15 cm long, 2–6 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a spike. Racemes 2–8. Rhachis fragile at the nodes.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile or pedicelled, 1 in the cluster. Companion spikelets
pedicelled, 2 in the cluster. Companion spikelets developed, containing empty
lemmas or male, 4–6 mm long. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1 fertile
floret(s), without rachilla extension, lanceolate, dorsally compressed, 6–9 mm
long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume subulate or oblong, cartilaginous or indurate. Upper glume
subulate, 7–14 mm long.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 4–9 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma apex muticous or
awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 6–12 mm long overall. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Australasia, and South
America.
Australian
Distribution: Victoria.
Victoria:
Midlands, Riverina, Volcanic Plain, Wimmera.
Notes.
Native to S and W Europe, naturalised in Tas. and Vic. where it has been
recorded from roadsides and irrigated pastures. Flowers Oct.-Feb.
