Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf.

Annual tufts, very variable in size, 5–70–(100) cm. Leaf-sheath chartaceous, striate, smooth or scabrid above, green to light brown; uppermost sheath ± inflated. Ligule 1.5–10–(18) mm, oblong, tapered, ciliate-lacerate, abaxially scabrid. Leaf-blade 1–28 cm × 1–10 mm, linear-lanceolate, finely striate, scabrid, tip acute. Culm 3–60 cm, in tufts or solitary, erect, or geniculate and sometimes rooting at lower nodes, usually branched near base, internodes smooth or occasionally scabrid near panicle. Panicle 0.7–17 × 0.5–4 cm, very dense, cylindric or lobed, bearing numerous fine bristles; rachis smooth to scabrid, branches very short, closely scabrid, pedicels scabrid, very short, disarticulating. Spikelets 4–12 mm, oblong, silvery or yellowish green, rarely purple-tinged, falling entire at maturity with a minute piece of pedicel. Glumes equalling spikelet, scabrid, with longer prickle-teeth in lower ½, margins finely ciliate, apex emarginate, with very fine, straight terminal scabrid awn (3–9 mm) from the short notch. Lemma 1–1.5 mm, hyaline, glabrous, elliptic, truncate and minutely denticulate, awnless or with extremely fine, terminal awn (0.8–1.8 mm). Palea slightly shorter and narrower than lemma, keels slightly excurrent. Anthers 0.4–0.7 mm. Caryopsis 1–1.3 × 0.4–0.6 mm.

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