Bearded Couchgrass
Scientific Name: Elymus caninus (L.) L.
Family: Poaceae
MORPHOLOGY
Growth habit and size: These are perennial herbaceous plants with overwintering buds at ground level, protected by litter or snow. They have dense tufts of leaves emerging from the ground. The entire plant is densely bushy reaching a height of 50-120 cm.
Stem: Ascending and robust and can be curved at the top.
Leaves: Arranged alternately with sheaths encircling the stem (falcate auricle pavilions may be present), ligule with a truncated apex, and linear blade with an acuminate apex; both surfaces are rough and green. Leaf blade dimensions: width up to 5-8 mm; length 10-30 cm.
Flowers: The main inflorescence is a terminal raceme (one raceme per inflorescence), shaped like a slender linear spike composed of several spikelets. The spikelets are sessile, closely imbricated (the lower ones are more spaced apart). The fertile flowers are actinomorphic and consist of 3 whorls. Blooms from April to July.
Fruits and seeds: The fruits are caryopses, which are small indehiscent grains, varying from ovate to oblong shapes.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
Widespread throughout Italy from sea level up to 1,500 m. It prefers degraded forests, clearings, and hedgerows.
Photo: Freely licensed by Saxifraga and Ed Stikvoort, JJasenka Topic, Rutger Barendse.
 
		 
	
















