Ovate goat grass
Aegilops geniculata
Synonyms: Aegilops ovata var. virescens, Aegilops ovata var. microstachys, Aegilops sicula, Aegilops geniculata var. hirsuta, Aegilops vagans, Aegilops ovata subsp. brachyathera, Aegilops ovata var. eigiana, Aegilops ovata subsp. umbonata, Aegilops ovata var. africana, Aegilops geniculata var. puberula, Aegilops ovata var. pubiglumis, Aegilops fonsii, Aegilops erratica, Aegilops ovata subsp. gibberosa, Aegilops ovata var. vagans, Aegilops ovata var. eventricosa, Aegilops parvula, Aegilops geniculata subsp. gibberosa, Aegilops brachyathera, Aegilops ovata var. hirsuta, Aegilops ovata var. geniculata, Aegilops geniculata var. echinus, Aegilops ovata var. erratica, Aegilops procera, Aegilops ovata var. echinus, Triticum vagans, Aegilops ovata subsp. globulosa, Phleum aegilops, Aegilops microstachys, Aegilops ovata var. erigens, Aegilops ovata var. procera, Aegilops altera, Triticum ovatum var. brachyatherum, Aegilops ovata var. brachyathera, Aegilops ovata var. nigricans, Aegilops geniculata var. lanuginosa, Aegilops geniculata subsp. globulosa, Aegilops geniculata var. eventricosa, Triticum ovatum var. echinum, Aegilops erigens, Aegilops ovata subsp. atlantica, Aegilops divaricata, Aegilops ovata var. vernicosa, Aegilops echinus, Aegilops geniculata var. brachyathera, Aegilops pubiglumis, Aegilops ovata var. lanuginosa, Aegilops ovata var. puberula, Aegilops geniculata var. africana, Aegilops ovata subsp. planiuscula
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Botanical Description
Aegilops geniculata is a small tufted annual grass of the Poaceae family growing 10-40 cm tall with a few erect or geniculately ascending culms arising from a slender fibrous root system. Culms are slender, smooth, geniculate at the lower nodes (whence the name) and finely ridged. Leaf blades are flat to slightly inrolled, narrow, 3-10 cm long and 1-3 mm wide, finely scabrid on the upper surface and margins; leaf sheaths are densely white-hairy with a tuft of long hairs at the throat, and the ligule is a very short truncate membrane. The inflorescence is a short, stout, cylindrical to ovoid spike 1-3 cm long (excluding awns) and consisting of two to four crowded spikelets together with rudimentary basal spikelets. Spikelets are barrel-shaped, ventricose, 8-12 mm long and contain three to five florets. Glumes are firm, leathery, and bear three to five (rarely more) stout divergent awns 1-4 cm long, those of the upper spikelets the longest. Lemmas similarly bear long stiff awns, so that the whole spike bears a conspicuous spreading bristly crown of awns at maturity. Native to the Mediterranean basin, Western Asia and southern Europe and naturalised as a weed in similar climates worldwide.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.