Vulpia ciliata* Dum. Observ. Gramin. Belg. 100 (1824).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae. Tribe Poeae.
Type of Basionym or Protologue Information: T: Icon. Descr. Gram. Austriac. 4: t. 65 (1809) cited in Fl. Libya 145: 31 (1988).
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 (171), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales (398), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (293), [1992] J.R.Wheeler et al, Flora of the Kimberley Region (292, Fig.39).
Illustrations: [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (171, Fig. 121), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn (398), [2009]. A.Wilson (ed.), Flora of Australia 44A: Poaceae 2 (292, Fig 39).
Habit. Annual. Culms erect or decumbent, 5–45 cm tall, 1–2 -noded. Leaf-sheaths smooth, glabrous on surface. Ligule an eciliate membrane or a fringed membrane, a ciliolate membrane. Leaf-blades flat or involute, 1–10 cm long, 0.4–2 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface indumented.
Inflorescence. Inflorescence compound, a panicle of racemes. Panicle linear, 3–33 cm long.
Spikelets. Spikelets pedicelled. Fertile spikelets many flowered, with at least 2 fertile florets (2–7), comprising 1–7 fertile floret(s), with diminished florets at the apex, oblong or cuneate, laterally compressed, 5–10.2 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes dissimilar, thinner than fertile lemma. Lower glume oblong or ovate, membranous, without keels, 0–1 -nerved. Upper glume lanceolate, 1.9–3.4 mm long, membranous, without keels, 1–3 -nerved. Upper glume apex muticous.
Florets. Fertile lemma 4–7.7 mm long, without keel, 3–5 -nerved. Lemma surface indumented. Lemma apex awned, 1 -awned. Median (principal) awn 5–15.3 mm long overall. Palea 2 -nerved. Palea apex entire. Anthers 1.
Continental Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, and Australasia.
Australian Distribution: South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria.
South Australia: Murray, Southern Lofty, South-eastern. New South Wales: Northern Tablelands, Central Tablelands. Victoria: Eastern Highlands, Gippsland Plain, Grampians, Lowan Mallee, Midlands, Otway Range, Riverina, Volcanic Plain, Wannon, Wimmera.
Notes. Australian material referable to subsp. ciliata as described in Flora Europaea.
Introduced. Native to the Mediterranean. In dry (often sandy), open habitats. Flowers Oct.-Dec. Fruits Nov.-Dec.
