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Group 9

Loose panicle, 2+ fertile (hermaphrodite) florets, membranous ligule, absent or terminal/sub-terminal awn; short glumes:

53 species in our area Dactylis, Briza, Bromus (incl. Bromopsis, Ceratochloa et Anisthanta), (Vulpia – voir groupe 1), Festuca (incl. Patzkia), Glyceria, Poa, Catapodium, Schedonorus
Either:-

Spike with a characteristic form See Group 9a (2 choices)

or:-

Lemma or glumes with awns
See Group 9b (2 choices)

or:-

Lemma or glumes without awns (or at most a small point < 0.5 mm). Spikelets with medium or long stalks, spike not divaricate or unilateral
See Group 9c (2 choices)

or:-

Lemma or glumes without awns. Spikelets with short stalks, spike divaricate or unilateral
See Group 9d (3 choices)


Group 9a

Spike with a characteristic form

Either:- Spikelets in compact bunches, branches naked between the principal axis and these bunches. Leaf-sheaths very flattened Dactylis glomerata : A.

Species identified. Congratulations

or:- Spikelets drooping and trembling Briza spp. : A & P.

Genus identified. Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species



Group 9b

Lemma or glumes with awns

Either:- Lemmas split/two-toothed with a subterminal awn; spikelet longer than 15 mm (without awns); leaf-sheaths (and often leaves) frequently velvety Bromus spp. (incl. Bromopsis, Ceratochloa and Anisthanta): P.

Genus identified. but complex, with 15 species in our area
Click here to determine to which of 4 subgroups this Bromus species belongs

or:- Lemmas entire/toothed with a terminal awn (sometimes subterminal < 0.5 mm from the summit); spikelets compressed laterally; leaf-sheaths little or not compressed; lower glume > 2/3 upper glume. Basal leaves very narrow with the blade folded from the base, < 3.5 mm wide Festuca spp. (incl. Patzkia paniculata): P.

Genus identified. but complex, with 17 species in our area
Click here to determine to which of 3 subgroups this Festuca species belongs



Group 9b Bromus subgroups

Bromus species in FlorMed (15 in our area) : divided by TelaBotanica/FloraGallica (and thus Naturescene) in 4 genera:

Bromus spp. (incl. Bromopsis, Ceratochloa and Anisthanta) Lemmas split/two-toothed with a subterminal awn; spikelet longer than 15 mm (without awns); leaf-sheaths (and often leaves) frequently velvety

Either:- Lemmas bi-toothed, by less than 0.5 mm; lower glume with 1 vein

Bromus subgroup Bromopsis

(= Bromus subgenus Festucoides)

Subgroup identified
Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species

or:- Lemmas bi-toothed, by less than 0.5 mm; lower glume with several veins

Bromus subgroup Ceratochloa

(= Bromus subgenus Ceratochloa)

Subgroup identified
Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species

or:- Lemmas bi-toothed, by more than 0.5 mm; lower glume with several veins

Bromus subgroup Bromus

(= Bromus subgenus Bromus)

Subgroup identified
Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species

or:- Lemmas bi-toothed, by more than 0.5 mm; lower glume with 1 vein

Bromus subgroup Anisthanta

(= Bromus subgenus Stenobromus)

Subgroup identified
Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species



Group 9b Festuca subgroups

Festuca species in FlorMed (14 in our area) are subdivided into 3 subgroups:

Festuca spp. Lemmas entire/toothed with a terminal awn (sometimes subterminal < 0.5 mm from the summit); spikelets compressed laterally; leaf-sheaths little or not compressed; lower glume > 2/3 upper glume. Basal leaves very narrow with the blade folded from the base, < 3.5 mm wide

Either:-

Base of plant swollen into a bulb, ligules 2-lobed, dense mat

Patzkea paniculata ( = Festuca paniculata)

Species identified. Congratulations

or:-

FlorMed subgroup 2

Lemmas smooth or with a narrow membranous border; ligules <0.5 mm ; caryopsis adherent to the palea; flower-free shoots with leaf-sheaths fused right to the summit

Festuca rubra, Festuca rivularis, Festuca nigrescens, Festuca heteromalla, Festuca heterophylla
Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species

or:-

FlorMed subgroup 3

Lemmas smooth or with a narrow membranous border; ligules <0.5 mm ; caryopsis adherent to the palea; flower-free shoots with leaf-sheaths fused for less than 2/3 of length

Festuca valesiaca, Festuca marginata, Festuca filiformis, Festuca ovina, Festuca airoides, Festuca heteroidea, Festuca billyi, Festuca christiani-bernardii, Festuca auquieri, Festuca longifolia, Festuca arvernensis
Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species

or:-

FlorMed subgroup 1

Lemmas rough; ligules 1-7 mm ; caryopsis free

This group in FlorMed is not present in our area



Group 9c

Lemma or glumes without awns (or at most a small point < 0.5 mm)

Either:-

Lemmas 7+ pronounced veins ; upper glumes with a single, slightly transparent vein

Glyceria spp.: P

Genus identified. Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species

or:-

Lemmas with 3-5 veins ; upper glumes with 3+ veins

Poa spp.: A & P.

Genus identified. Consult FlorMed or other flora to determine which species



Groupe 9d

Lemma or glumes without awns. Spikelets with a very short stalk, spike divaricate or unilateral

Either:-

Ligule oblong, torn

Catapodium rigidum : A

Species identified.

or:-

Ligule reduced to 2 lateral auricles, glabrous and fairly pointed

Schedonurus pratense spp.: A & P.

Species identified.

or:-

Ligule reduced to 2 lateral auricles, ciliated and fairly blunt

Schedonurus arundinaceum spp.: A & P.

Species identified.


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