Lab 5: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Question 1

identifying characteristics of mature Persian Darnel

Answer 1

-short, membranous ligule
- short auricle
- thin shiny leaves
- glabrous
- spike inflorescence (spikelets stick out from rachis)

Question 2

identifying characteristics of mature foxtail barley

Answer 2

• short, membranous ligule
• no auricle
• thin, fuzzy leaves
• spike inflorescence (hangs to side, long barbed awns)

Question 3

identifying characteristics of mature quackgrass

Answer 3

• M constriction below leaf tip
• short, membranous ligule
• small, pointed, clasping auricles
• glabrous leaves
• spike inflorescence

Question 4

identifying characteristics of mature barnyard grass

Answer 4

• no ligule or auricle
• red purple color at plant base
• flat leaf sheath
• tufted panicle inflorescence

Question 5

identifying characteristics of mature downy brome

Answer 5

• short, membranous ligule with pointed fringe at top
• no auricles
• pale green wide leaves that are hairy
• drooping, branched panicle inflorescence with awns (sometimes purple)

Question 6

identifying characteristics of mature Japanese brome

Answer 6

• short, membranous ligule with blunt fringe at top (longer than downy)
• no auricles
• pale green, hairy leaves
• loose, nodding, panicle inflorescence with twisting awns

Question 7

identifying characteristics of mature wild oat

Answer 7

• large membranous ligule
• no auricle
• counter-clockwise leaf twist
• open, loose panicle with 90 degree twist in awns

Question 8

identifying characteristics of mature annual bluegrass

Answer 8

• wrinkling on leaves (not every leaf)
• bluish, small, open, panicle

Question 9

identifying characteristics of mature smooth brome

Answer 9

• w shaped indent half way down leaf
• membranous ligule
• no auricle
• top of leaf glabrous, bottom hairy
• purple brown panicle inflorescence

Question 10

identifying characteristics of mature green foxtail

Answer 10

• ligule is fringe of short white hairs
• no auricle
• leaf is hairy (rough)
• green, dense, spike-like panicle

Question 11

identifying characteristics of mature yellow foxtail

Answer 11

• ligule is fringe of hairs
• no auricle
• old person ear hairs at collar
• glabrous leaves
• spike-like panicle with yellow orange bristles (bigger than green foxtail)

Question 12

identifying characteristics of mature common plantain

Answer 12

• 3-5 prominent parallel veins
• basal rosette
• petiolate, dull green leaves with smooth margins