Rostraria pumila (Desf.) Tzvelev

A distinctive species usually recognised by its furry lower glume. Widespread in parts of Pakistan, but apprently not common, and absent from Kashmir. Below 1000 m.

Tufted annual; culms 5-35 cm high, erect or geniculately ascending. Leaf-blades up to 7 cm long and 3 mm wide, villous to pubescent or ± glabrous. Panicle ovate-oblong, lax and sometimes ± lobed, 1-6 cm long. Spikelets usually 4-flowered, 2.5-3.5 mm long; rhachilla produced, densely villous with hairs c. 1 mm long; glumes subequal, elliptic, 3-nerved, 2.5-3 mm long, acute, the lower shortly and densely villous all over with slightly crisped hairs, the upper less hairy and then usually only on the keel, or glabrous, rarely hairy all over; lemma elliptic, 3-3.5 mm long, glabrous, acute; awn 1.5-25 mm long, straight or slightly curved.

Distribution: Pakistan (Baluchistan, Punjab & N. W. F. P.); Northwest India to the Mediterranean region; introduced in South Africa and Australia.

Fl. & Fr. Per.: March-May.