Citation: Desf., Fl. Atlant. 1:67 (1798).

Synonymy: Alopecurus monspeliensis L., Sp. Pl. 61 (1753).

Common name: Annual beard-grass, beard-grass.

Description:
Annual; stems erect or spreading, 4-50 cm high; leaves flat, linear to linear-lanceolate, 4-6 mm broad.

Panicle dense or somewhat lobed, bristly, white or yellowish, 1-12 cm long, 6-14 mm broad; spikelets 2-2.5 mm long; glume scabrous on the keel, pubescent, shortly notched, awn 2 or 3 times as long as the glume, 4-7 mm long, a pale yellow-green, almost terminal; lemma very shortly awned.

Published illustration: Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 135; Burbidge (1970) Australian grasses 3:pl. 40.

Distribution:  Grows best in shaded damp places. S.Aust.: NW, LE, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   New Zealand, North and South America; native to Europe, Asia and North Africa. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Oct. — March or rarely later.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: Not significantly grazed.

Author: Not yet available