Black bent
Agrostis gigantea
Auricles
Absent.
Leaf blade
Dull green, flat, broad and tapering to fine point. Rough, ribbed and hairless. Rolled.
Importance
Less frequent than common couch but still common in England. Less common in Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Can be a problem weed in localised patches, particularly on light sandy or gravelly soils.
Ligule
Long: up to 6 mm. Blunt and serrated.
Description
Tall tufted perennial 30-120 cm. Spreads by tough creeping rhizomes. Distinguished from common couch by long serrated ligule and lack of auricles. Flower head has large, open panicle - often oval and green or frequently purplish in colour. Spikelets are small, narrow, single flowered and awnless.
