†† Awns, twisted below and bent above, inserted into the middle of the back of the bifid palea or below it.
⊙ Awns long and conspicuously projecting from the spikelet, which is gaping and contains 3-5 flowers. Leaves flat.
Avena.
≡ Tall annual corn-weed, with large (18-20 mm.) heavy, pendent, hairy spikelets on the long slender stalks of the lax open panicle. Leaves glabrous.
A. fatua, L.
This is the so-called Wild Oat, and the type of this group.
≡ ≡ Tufted perennials with spikelets more or less erect on stiffer stalks, the panicle therefore less open.
z Panicle nearly simple; spikelets silvery or reddish, 12-15 mm. long.
A. pratensis, L.
zz Panicle branched but not very open; spikelets glistening yellow and only 5-6 mm. long.