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from the spikelet, whereas the awn of A. geniculatus is always at least 2x the length of the spikelet
(see Figure 1).
Figure 1.
Spikelets of A. aequalis (left) and A. geniculatus (right). Scale 2mm. Except for the first drawing
anthers omitted for clarity. The paired glumes are keeled and fused below; and the spikelets are
compressed, lying face-on to the flower spike. The lemma is wrapped around the flower and the
awn is attached to its keel. The awn in A. aequalis may be difficult to see in an intact spikelet and
should not be confused with the fluffy stigmas or remnant stamen filaments.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 16 (1999)