Vulpia myuros (L.) C.C.Gmel.

Annuals, (3)–9–90 cm, in dense or loose tufts, or as solitary shoots, with base of panicle usually hidden by leaf-sheath. Leaf-sheath firmly membranous, glabrous, green to purplish, or light brown. Ligule 0.2–0.5–(0.7) mm, a truncate membranous ciliate rim, sometimes asymmetrical. Leaf-blade (1.5)–3.5–20 cm × 0.3–0.5 mm diam., inrolled, or flat and 0.5–2.5 mm wide, abaxially glabrous, adaxially covered with minute silky hairs; margins and fine acute tip scabrid. Culm 5–40–(60) cm, erect, or curved upwards from decumbent base, internodes glabrous. Panicle linear, secund, curved or nodding, dense, usually ± racemose above, shortly branched below; rachis, stiff ± appressed branches and short stiff pedicels scabrid on angles. Spikelets 15–25 mm, 5–6–(7)-flowered, uppermost 1–(2) florets Ø, oblong or cuneate, green to purplish. Glumes extremely unequal, glabrous, acute; lower 0.5–1–(2) mm, ⅙ to almost ½ length of upper, 1-nerved, sub-ulate, upper (2.7)–3–4.5 mm, 3-nerved, narrow-lanceolate. Lemma 5.5–8.5 mm, faintly 5-nerved, firm, rounded, linear-lanceolate, scabrid, especially above near awn; awn 9–14.5 mm, fine, scabrid. Palea keels scabrid near apex. Anthers usually 1, rarely 2, (0.4)–0.5–0.6 mm, or 0.8–1.5–(2.5) mm. Caryopsis 3.5–4.5 × 0.4–0.6 mm.

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