Rat's tail fescue

Importance

A competitive and invasive arable weed which has been reported more frequently in recent seasons.

Description

A tufted annual grass reaching heights of up to 70 cm.

Leaf blade

Fine, narrow glossy leaves, up to 15 cm in length and 0.5–3 mm wide. Emerging leaves are rolled in the bud.

Dense `rat`s-tail` panicles, one-sided with spikelets 7–10 mm long (without including awns), 3–6 flowered with long awns up to 15 mm in length.

Auricles

None

Ligule

Short 0.1–1 mm, flat and ragged.