Lolium rigidum Gaudin

Stiff annuals, (7.5)–10–25–(45) cm, with shoots curving upwards, reddish brown, especially near base; branching extravaginal. Leaf-sheath glabrous, reddish purple. Auricles very short, c. 0.5–(1) mm, or 0. Ligule 0.4–1.2 mm, membranous, truncate. Leaf-blade (2)–6–18 cm × 1.5–4 mm, abaxially glabrous, adaxially scabrid on ribs; margins smooth, tip acute, scabrid. Culm (3)–6–30 cm, ensheathed by upper leaves, internodes glabrous. Spike (2.5)–5–20 cm, often curved; rachis 1–1.5–(2) mm wide, smooth, margins finely scabrid. Spikelets 5–10.5 mm, 2–5-flowered, less than their own length apart, usually ± concealed by glumes in concavities of rachis. Upper glume ≥ spikelet, 5–7–(9)-nerved, very stiff, lanceolate or narrowly oblong, obtuse or acute, glabrous; acutely angled to rachis at maturity. Lemma 3.5–6 mm, faintly 5-nerved, oblong or lanceolate-oblong, obtuse, smooth or finely scaberulous, not turgid at maturity, usually muticous; awn sometimes present, subterminal, short, fine, to 3 mm. Palea = lemma, keels scabrid. Anthers c. 1–1.5 mm. Caryopsis 2–3.5 × 0.7–1.3 mm.

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