Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 61 (1753).

Derivation: Greek agrostis, name of a grass.

Synonymy: Not Applicable

Common name: None

Description:
Annuals or perennials; leaf blades flat, usually expanded or folded.

Inflorescence a loose or contracted paniclel spikelets 1-flowered, laterally compressed, with or without a short glabrous or hairy bristle continuing the rhachilla rising at the base of the short callus and behind the palea; glumes 2, keeled, awnless, usually persistent; lemmas shorter, broad, membranous, truncate, awnless or with a slender dorsal awn; callus small, glabrous or bearded with a tuff of hairs not half as long as the lemma; palea hyaline, usually shorter than the lemma.

Distribution:  Over 150 species, cosmopolitan. (Vickery (1941) Contr. N.S.W. natn. Herb. 1:101-119).

Biology: No text

Key to Species:

1. Bristle (rudimentary joint of the rhachilla) present; callus bearded (except in A. limitanea)
2. Callus glabrous; awn absent; glumes c. 2.7 mm long	A. limitanea 7.
2. Callus bearded; awn present or, if absent, glumes c. 2 mm long
3. Lemma glabrous
4. Awn absent; glumes c. 2 mm long, teeth of the lemma very short
5. Glumes scabrous on the keels, obscurely ciliolate on the margins in the upper part, minutely and distantly scaberulous on the sides	A. aequata 2.
5. Glumes scabrous on the keels and sides, obscurely ciliolate on the margins especially in the upper part	A. rudis 8.
4. Awn exserted, geniculate; glumes 5-7 mm long; teeth of the lemma long	A. billardieri 4.
3. Lemma hairy on the back
6. Glumes 2-3.5 mm long; panicle branches often drooping when young	A. avenacea 3.
6. Glumes 4-5 mm long- panicle branches not drooping	A. aemula 1.
1. Bristle absent; callus usually glabrous
7. Ligule 5-6 mm long, oblong	A. gigantea 6.
7. Ligule to 2 mm long, truncate	A. capillaris 5.

Author: Not yet available