Morphological difference to E. crus-galli ²

Some authorities make a distinction between native Barnyard Grass (Echinochlora muricata, Echinochlora pungens) and introduced Barnyard Grass from Eurasia (Echinochloa crus-galli). However, the morphological differences between these two groups of grasses are quite small. According to Mohlenbrock (1973/2001), the introduced Barnyard Grass has a fertile lemma with a fragile tip and a ring of small hairs at the base of this tip. In contrast, the fertile lemma of native Barnyard Grass has a firm flexible tip that lacks this ring of hairs. Unfortunately, the fertile lemma is hidden from view by the second glume in a spikelet of Barnyard Grass. Once these two structures are pried apart, a good hand-lens is required to observe the key characteristics of the fertile lemma.

Source: http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/grasses/plants/awned_barnyard.htm

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/plant_diversity/4055513391/
2. (c) Harry Podschwit, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

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