Sixweeks threeawn

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Sixweeks threeawn

Sixweeks threeawn

Morphology

Culm

Erect to spreading, much-branched; internodes glabrous.

Blades

Mostly cauline; linear, 2 to 6 inches long, to 1/10 inch wide, flat or involute, glabrous.

Sheath

Terete, shorter than internode, glabrous.

Ligule

Ciliate membrane, to 1/25 inch.

Inflorescence

Panicles, narrow, erect to nodding, 2 to 7 inches long, to 1.2 inch wide, congested; branches ascending to appressed, .4 to 1.6 inch, 3-8 spikelets per branch; pedicels shorter than the spikelets.

Spikelets

Green to purplish, solitary, terete, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, crowded, 1-flowered; first glume shorter than second; lemma tipped with three branching, nearly equal awns .2 to .8 inch long.

Ecology

Habitat

Prairies, stream beds, disturbed and waste areas, roadsides: often in dry, sandy soils.

Distribution

Principally west third of Kansas; occasionally observed eastward.

Practical Information

Forage Value

Unpalatable to livestock after the first few weeks of growth.

Additional Notes