Anthoxanthum aristatum each is a fertile floret enclosed in two sterile florets (dispersal unit)
Anthoxanthum aristatum each a fertile floret enclosed in two sterile florets (dispersal units)
Anthoxanthum aristatum fertile floret enclosed in two sterile florets (dispersal unit)
Anthoxanthum aristatum fertile floret enclosed in two sterile florets (dispersal unit)
Anthoxanthum aristatum fertile florets
Anthoxanthum aristatum fertile floret and caryopsis
Anthoxanthum aristatum fertile floret enclosed in two sterile florets (dispersal units), fertile floret, and caryopsis

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Overview

Aperçu

Regulation :

Remarques Réglementation:

Quarantine lists of countries e.g. Mexico *may be updated without notice

Regulation Notes:

On quarantine lists of countries e.g. Mexico^*.

*Quarantine lists of countries may be updated without notice.

Distribution :

Répartition :

This species is native to northern Africa and southern Europe. It has been introduced in northern Europe and in North America (USDA-ARS 2017). In the United States, it occurs in the western, eastern and southern states (USDA-NRCS 2017).

Habitat and Crop Association :

Habitat et Cultures Associées :

This species grows in mesic to dry fields and open, disturbed habitats (Barkworth et al. 2007, Klinkenberg 2017).

Economic Use, cultivation area, and Weed Association :

Utilisation économique, zone de culture et association de mauvaises herbes :

Duration of Life Cycle :

Durée du cycle vital:

Annual

Dispersal Unit Type :

Type d’unité de dispersion :

Fertile floret enclosed in two sterile florets (dispersal unit)

Distribution of Anthoxanthum aristatum Boiss. in Canada and the United States (source: FNA 1993+)

Global distribution of Anthoxanthum aristatum Boiss. (source: GBIF 2022)

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General Information

RENSEIGNEMENTS GÉNÉRAUX

Annual vernal grass was a weed of cereal crops in Europe but has declined due to improved seed cleaning techniques (BRC 2017). It is not common in North America (Barkworth et al. 2007).

Identification

Size
- Dispersal unit length: 2.1 – 3.5 mm (average: 2.9 mm); width: 0.7 – 1.0 mm (average: 0.8 mm)
- Fertile floret length: 1.6 – 2.0 mm (average 1.8 mm); width: 0.7 – 0.9 mm (average: 0.8 mm)
- Major awn length: 5.3 – 8.5 mm (average: 6.5 mm) ; minor awn length: 3.9 – 6.6 mm (average 5.1 mm)
Shape
- Dispersal units are oblong-shaped, flattened
- Fertile florets are spindle-shaped
Surface Texture
- The surface of the dispersal unit is roughened like sandpaper, covered with stiff hairs in vertical lines and awned from the back of the lemma
- Enclosed fertile floret surface is smooth
Colour
- The dispersal units are reddish brown and pale at their tips
- Fertile florets are glossy reddish-brown
Other Features
- Tips of the dispersal unit are smooth or with a fringe of short, pale hairs
- Caryopsis is yellowish, minutely pitted and translucent
Anthoxanthum aristatum each is a fertile floret enclosed in two sterile florets (dispersal unit)

Identification Tips

CONSEILS POUR L’IDENTIFICATION

Additional Botany Information

AUTRES RENSEIGNEMENTS BOTANIQUES

Similar Species

ESPÈCES SEMBLABLES

Similar species are based on a study of seed morphology of various species, and those with similar dispersal units are identified. The study is limited by physical specimen and literature availability at the time of examination, and possibly impacted by the subjectivity of the authors based on their knowledge and experience. Providing similar species information for seed identification is to make users aware of similarities that could possibly result in misidentification.

Anthoxanthum odoratum (sweet vernal grass)

Anthoxanthum odoratum dispersal units are a similar size, flattened oblong shape, reddish-brown colour, awned, with a hairy surface.

Anthoxanthum odoratum floret awns are generally smaller (average length of major awn: 6.0 mm; minor awn 4.7 mm) than annual vernal grass. The dispersal units are covered by stiff hairs and have a fringe of short, dark hairs at their tips. The caryopsis has a larger embryo than annual vernal grass.

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Anthoxanthum odoratum