Common name: Annual Beardgrass
Polypogon monspeliensis (L.) Desf. APNI* 
Description: A loosely tufted annual to c. 80 cm tall. Culms erect, ribbed, sometimes branched, glabrous; nodes 3–5, constricted, glabrous.
Sheaths ribbed, glabrous, enclosing culm; ligule membranous, subulate, 5–10 mm long, striate; blade linear, 2–17 cm long. to 6 mm wide, flat, ribbed, midvein prominent, scabrous.
Inflorescence a compact panicle, linear, 1.5–11 cm long, 0.5–2.5 cm wide, exserted or enclosed in uppermost sheath, soft, greenish. Spikelets of 1 bisexual floret, falling entire; pedicels scabrous. Glumes lanceolate, subequal, 1–2 mm long, margins ciliate with hairs <0.5 mm long, midvein prominent, scabrous; awn subterminal, straight, 5–9 mm long. Lemma oblong, c. 1 mm long, truncate, 5-toothed; awn terminal, straight, 1–3 mm long; palea narrow, smaller than lemma, membranous, 2-toothed.
Flowering: Flowers in spring.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread species. Native of Medit. region. Grows in damp, disturbed areas, also common on edges of swamp and wetland areas.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CC, *SC, *CT, *ST, *NWS, *CWS, *SWS, *NWP, *SWP, *NFWP, *SFWP, *LHI
Other Australian states: *Qld *Vic. *Tas. *W.A. *S.A.
Text by Jacobs, S.W.L., Whalley, R.D.B. & Wheeler, D.J.B.
Taxon concept: Grasses of New South Wales, Fourth Edition (2008).
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
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