Briza maxima L.

Annual loose tufts or solitary shoots, (18)–25–65–(90) cm. Leaf-sheath papery, glabrous, finely ribbed, light green, light brown or purplish. Ligule 2–4–(5) mm, glabrous, denticulate, centrally tapered. Leaf-blade (2.2)–5–23 cm × 2–8 mm, thin, flat, finely ribbed, gradually tapered to fine acicular tip, abaxially occasionally sparsely prickle-toothed on ribs, adaxially ribs usually finely scaberulous; margins finely scaberulous. Culm (12)–20–50 cm, erect or geniculate at base, internodes glabrous. Panicle (2.2)–4–13–(16) cm, secund, nodding, of 1–12, rarely to 18, papery spikelets; branches few, sparsely scabrid, pedicels filiform, 0.5–2–(3) cm. Spikelets 1–2–(2.5) × 0.6–1.5 cm, 8–15-flowered, silvery, light green to golden-brown, often dark purplish at base. Glumes subequal, 5–6–(6.6) mm, (5)–7–9-nerved, spreading, firmly membranous, concave, suborbicular, smooth, often purplish. Lemma 6.5–8.5 mm, 7–9–(11)-nerved, centrally hardened and concave, glabrous, base cordate, sometimes with minute glandular hairs especially on auricle-like extensions, and appressed fine hairs on broad, firmly membranous margins, apex subacute. Palea 3–4 mm, to ⅔ length of lemma, orbicular, keels finely winged and densely short-ciliate, interkeel glabrous. Lodicules (1)–2–3 mm, lanceolate, obtuse. Anthers 1.5–2 mm. Gynoecium: ovary c. 1 mm; stigma-styles 2 mm. Caryopsis 2.5–3 × 1.5–2 mm; embryo 0.7–1 mm; hilum linear, 1.2–1.5 mm.

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