Avenula pratensis (L.) Dum.

Graminae

Synonyms

Avena pratensis L., Helictotrichon pratense (L.) Besser, Avenochloa pratensis (L.)Holub

Common names

Meadow oat-grass (English), Avoine des prés (French), Rauher wiesenhafer (German).

Description

Perennial plants, average size, hairless. Stems erect, 30 - 100 cm high. Blade folded when young, hairless and rough. Ligule 2 - 5 (- 8) mm long on the upper leaves, oblong. No auricles. Panicle-like inflorescence, long (10 - 20 cm), loose. Spikelets with 3 - 6 aristate flowers, lemma with a long bent awn. Chromosome number: 2n = 42. Physiological peculiarities: maximum number of leaves per tiller: 4.0.

Temperature

Large distribution in climates of the temperate area. Like sunny and warm microclimates. Cold, warm resistant.

Water

Drought resistant.

Soil

Restricted to dry soils. Species of poor soils, often calcareous. Encountered on a large range of soil textures. Often on well facing slopes or on excessively drained soils.

Distribution

Native to Europe and West Asia. From the lowlands to alpine levels in mountain area.

References