Holcus

Taxonomic status Accepted

Occurrence status Present

Establishment means Introduced

Tufted or rhizomatous perennials or annuals. Leaf-blades flat; ligules membranous. Spikelets with 2 (rarely 3) florets falling as a unit at maturity, the lower floret bisexual, the upper usually male; glumes 2, subequal, membranous, longer than the florets, strongly keeled, the lower 1-nerved, the upper 3-nerved; lemma obscurely 3–5-nerved, firm, shining, the upper or both usually with a dorsal awn; palea membranous, slightly shorter than lemma.

9 species ranging from Africa to Asia; 4 naturalised in Australia, 3 in Victoria.

Source:

Walsh, N.G. (1994). Poaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., ‍Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons‍, pp. 356–627. Inkata Press, Melbourne.

Updated by: Val Stajsic, 10 Jan. 2021

Key to the species of Holcus

Spinning

kingdom

phylum

class

order

family

Higher taxa

genus

Holcus

Subordinate taxa

species

Holcus annuus Salzm. ex C.A.Mey.

species

species

Electronic Flora of South Australia

NZFlora

Copyright and citation • Contact us • Acknowledgements

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and learn and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. Read more about how the Gardens values inclusion in our Reconciliation Action Plan.