Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P.Beauv.
Diagnostic description:
A tufted annual. Stems erect or ascending, simple or branched at the base, up to 30 cm tall. Leaf blade up to 13 cm long, and 0.6 mm wide; flat, hairy to rough-hairy. Ligule 1 to 2 mm long, emarginate. Inflorescence a stiff, erect, spike-like raceme up to 6 cm long, with 1 to 5 spikelets. Spikelets oblong, with 6 to 15 florets, rough-hairy, 1 to 2 cm long. Lower glume 3.5 to 6 mm long, the upper one 7 to 8 mm long, 7-veined. Lemma 6.5 to 10 mm long, 7-veined; awn 10 to 15 mm long.
Distribution:
Local: Very common and widespread throughout Gibraltar, excluding built-up areas.
Global: Found throughout the Mediterranean region, west and central Asia.
Ecology:
Flowers from March, April to May (June).
Habitat:
Grows on dry pastures, dry, stony ground.