Agrostis exarata Trin.
Spike bentgrass
Family: Poaceae
Habit: Tufted perennial grass 2 to 12 dm. tall.
Distribution: Found in moist places along creeks, rivers or roadsides in open woodlands and coniferous forests; from Alaska to South Dakota and south to California, Texas and Mexico.
Seed unit: Single floret spikelet with caryopsis.
Seed: Glumes 1.5 to 3.5 mm. Lemma 1 to 2 mm. long, ending in a prickle or short awn. Palea minute.
Embryo: Basal-lateral embryo area of seed caryopsis.
Purity instructions: Pure seed definition:
AOSA: PSU #13 - Single floret spikelet or floret with or without awns, provided a caryopsis with some degree of endosperm development can be detected. Caryopsis or piece of broken caryopsis larger than one half of the original size.
Lab notes: For purity examinations on this species, a general seed blower and a diphanoscope are helpful.
Average pure seed units per gram: 12,373 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 7 samples received for testing from 1996 to 2002).
Range of percent pure seed: 92% to 98%
Range of percent inert: 1% to 7%
Description of inert: Chaff, plant material, dirt.
Planting instructions: 400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 15-25°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill and GA3 recommended.
References: (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed. 1993. p. 1229.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck. 1968. p. 1522.
Ransom Seed Laboratory
