Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Beauv. ex J. et C. Presl subsp. elatius

Spice Spikelets Spikelets

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Arrhenatherum

Catalan common name: Fromental.

Spanish common name: Hierba triguera. Mazorra.

Province distribution: Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Eurosiberian with a big area

Uses and properties: Edible or foodstuffs. Medicinal.

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Mesophyll mountainous grasslands.

Characteristics: A plant very characteristic to mown fields can also be found in moist grasslands, forest clearings, roadsides, etc. Very similar to A. album, yet can be differentiated from this species by its pedicels of the superior flower are less than 1 mm. And by the awn of the interior flower emerges from the third basal of the glumule (not at the base). Can be distinguished from other subspecies by the prescence of a long panicle (13-25 cm), ± thick stems(1-3 mm) and the absence of basal tubercles.