Alopecurus pratensis L.

Loosely or compactly tufted tall perennials, often shortly rhizomatous. Leaf-sheath green, glabrous, striate, lower sheaths dark brown, sometimes purplish. Ligule (0.5)–1–2–(2.8) mm, membranous, blunt, sparsely ciliate, abaxially very minutely hairy. Leaf-blade 10–20–(30) cm × 2–5 mm, flat, finely ribbed, finely scabrid on ribs and margins, or almost glabrous, tapered to fine pointed tip. Culm 30–100 cm, erect or geniculate at base and rooting at lower nodes, nodes few, internodes ridged, glabrous. Panicle 3.5–9.5 cm, spike-like, with densely packed silvery green to purplish spikelets. Glumes 4–6 mm, ± equal, 3-nerved, margins united for ¼ length, acute, firm, finely hairy below, keeled, keel and lateral nerves fine-ciliate. Lemma 4–5.5 mm, 4-nerved, ovate or elliptic, blunt, membranous, keeled, keel finely hairy, margins united below midpoint; awn fine, 4.5–8–(9.5) mm, inserted near base, projecting 3–4 mm beyond glumes. Palea 0. Anthers 2–3.5 mm, yellow to purple. Caryopsis 1–1.2 × 0.6–0.8 mm.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]