Alopecurus myosuroides
Plants annual; tufted. Culms (10)40-85 cm, erect. Ligules 2-6 mm, obtuse; blades (2) 3.5-6 mm wide; upper sheaths somewhat inflated. Panicles 4-12 cm long, 3-7 mm wide. Glumes 4.5-7.5 mm, connate in the lower 1/2, coriaceous, sides glabrous, keels winged, ciliate, scabrous distally, lateral veins ciliate or glabrous proximally, apices acute, convergent to parallel; lemmas 4-7 mm, connate in the lower 1/3-1/2, glabrous, apices acute, awns to 12 mm, geniculate, exceeding the lemmas by 3-6 mm; anthers 2.4-4.1 mm, yellow. 2n = 14, 28.
Distribution
Wash., Del., D.C, W.Va., N.J., N.Mex., Tex., La., N.C., S.C., Pa., N.Y., Va., Calif., Ala., Oreg., Maine, Md., Mass., Ohio, Man., Mich., R.I., Kans., Miss., Ky.
Discussion
Alopecurus myosuroides is native to Eurasia, and grows in moist meadows, deciduous forests, and cultivated or disturbed ground. A significant weed species in temperate cereal crops, it is one of the most damaging weeds of winter cereals in England. It has been introduced repeatedly as a weed of cultivation into many parts of the Flora region, but apparently has not spread to a large degree outside of cultivation. Alopecurus myosuroides has been listed as a noxious weed in the state of Washington, one of the states where winter wheat is a major crop.
Selected References
None.