Aira uniaristata Cav.

Spice Detail

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Aira

Sinònims: Aira caryophyllea L. subsp. uniaristata (Lag. & Rodr.) Maire

Catalan common name: Nebulosa.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Terophyte.

Habitats: Non-saline wetlands (intermittent watercourses, streams, artesian wells, ditches). Therophytic silicolous fields. Therophytics communities.

Characteristics: An erect Gramineae with filiform stems and an almost transparent inflorescence. The spicules are very small and are grouped in an open panicle. Lives in terraphytic meadows, generally in slightly wet soils low in carbonates. It is very similar to Aira cupaniana, and can only be told apart by small floral characteristics (a classification key is a must). Subsp. uniaristata differs form the more common subspecies as its spikelets only have one awn instead of two. Flowers in May.