Lagurus ovatus 0
Author: Carl von Linné (1707-1778)Family: Poaceae Subfamily: Pooideae Tribe: Poeae Subtribe: Agrostideae
Genus: Lagurus
Synonym(s): Lagurus ovatus ssp nanus,Lagurus ovatus ssp vestitus
English name: Hare's Tail Grass
Zone: Mediterranean
Description
This species is originated from the Mediterranean regions, but currently grows in many parts of the world with a similar climate, such as Australia, New Zealand, India and certain parts of the USA and Europe. In southern Africa it is mainly found in the coastal regions of the Western and Eastern Cape. It grows in disturbed soil such as road reserves and gardens. It usually grows in sandy soil and often in the shade of trees and shrubs.
Lagurus ovatus Observed in New Zealand by Arnim Littek (license)
Botanical Description
This is a velvety annual of 600mm high. The leaf blade is 100 x 10mm. The leaf sheaths are sparsely to densely hairy. The ligule has an unfringed membrane.
The inflorescence is a compact, oval panicle, soft as glumes have profusely spreading long silky hairs, and bristly from fine awns on glumes and lemmas. The spikelet is 7-10mm long (excluding awns), disarticulating above glumes. The lemma is rounded on the back, 3-awned, central awn 10-12mm long. The palea is acuminate. The anther is 1.5-2.0mm long.
There are 3 stamens. The ovary is ellipsoid, glabrous. The styles are plumose. The caryopsis is narrowly ellipsoid. The hilum is short.
The inflorescence is a compact, oval panicle, soft as glumes have profusely spreading long silky hairs, and bristly from fine awns on glumes and lemmas. The spikelet is 7-10mm long (excluding awns), disarticulating above glumes. The lemma is rounded on the back, 3-awned, central awn 10-12mm long. The palea is acuminate. The anther is 1.5-2.0mm long.
There are 3 stamens. The ovary is ellipsoid, glabrous. The styles are plumose. The caryopsis is narrowly ellipsoid. The hilum is short.
Useful plant
It is known for its attractive panicles that are often used in flower arrangements.
References
- Flora iberica, Santiago Castroviejo. 2010 Vol. 16(2) pag. 848-852. ISBN
- Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, P.H. Davies. 1984 Vol. 9 pag. 357-358. ISBN
- Guide to Grasses of Southern Africa, Frits van Outdshoorn. 2012 pag. 93. ISBN
- Identification Guide to Southern African Grasses (Strelitzia 36), L Fish, AC Mashau, MJ Moeaha, MT Nembudani. 2016 pag. 404. ISBN
References
- Flora iberica, Santiago Castroviejo. 2010 Vol. 16(2) pag. 848-852. ISBN
- Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, P.H. Davies. 1984 Vol. 9 pag. 357-358. ISBN
- Guide to Grasses of Southern Africa, Frits van Outdshoorn. 2012 pag. 93. ISBN
- Identification Guide to Southern African Grasses (Strelitzia 36), L Fish, AC Mashau, MJ Moeaha, MT Nembudani. 2016 pag. 404. ISBN
References for the genus
General specifications
Annual or Biennial plant
Indigenous plant
Biological type: grass
Frost resistance: 14ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: white
Reproduction mode: hermaphrodite plant whoes flowers produce both male and female gametes
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 1,6ft x 1,6ft
Plant with a spacing of: 1,4ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: deciduous
Growth: fast
Flowering time from March until August
Ripe fruits from May until June
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: 1x a week pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Grasses; forestry plate, 2L forestry pot, forest pot 3L, container 6L
Propagation is done by root division
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 300-800mm
Sandy soil: much
Coastal soil: much
Frost resistance: 14ºF
Leaf color: dark green
Flower color: white
Reproduction mode: hermaphrodite plant whoes flowers produce both male and female gametes
Specifications for the Mediterranean basin
Adult size (h x w): 1,6ft x 1,6ft
Plant with a spacing of: 1,4ft
Sun exposure: full sun (Sun hours: >6h Foliage: deciduous
Growth: fast
Flowering time from March until August
Ripe fruits from May until June
Specific information for our garden
Planting substrate: 30%Compost+30%Coco+40%Sand
Plant watering: 1x a week pH 6.5
Logical sequence of containers for: Grasses; forestry plate, 2L forestry pot, forest pot 3L, container 6L
Propagation is done by root division
Ecology in its country of origin
Rainfall: 300-800mm
Sandy soil: much
Coastal soil: much
Sowing instructions
SPRING Sow the seeds on the surface of Well Drained Seed Sowing Mix between 59-68°F. During germination keep the substrate moist and in daylight. The seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks.
The average seed weight is 1234,6 per gram (0,00081g).
The average seed weight is 1234,6 per gram (0,00081g).
Experiences in the garden
11-02-19A Obtaining seeds from seed provider Comptoir des Graines collected in '....'. (Cultivated from unknown origin)
25-04-19 Sown 2 seeds in a tray and germinated at 02-05-19, result: 6 units in Serre4.
Protocol: Spring Surface Sowing mix+Sand 64-72°F Damp substrate+Light 1-2w
15-02-21 Sown 30 seeds in a seed plate F and germinated at 29-03-21, result: 10 units in Serre6.
Protocol: Spring Surface Sowing mix+Sand 50-59°F Damp substrate+Light 1-2w
. . . 2019A Production of 6 plants in our nursery (Cultivated from unknown origin)
07-08-23 6x Dead plant: End of life: JTCan.
. . . 2020A Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 03-06-20. (Cultivated from unknown origin)
08-06-20 Sown 40 seeds in a seed plate F and germinated at 14-07-20, result: 20 units in Serre6.
Protocol: Spring Surface Sowing mix+Sand 68-77°F Damp substrate+Light 1-2w
17-02-21 Sown 80 seeds in a seed plate F and germinated at 25-02-21, result: 11 units in Serre6.
Protocol: Spring Surface Sowing mix+Sand 50-59°F Damp substrate+Light 1-2w
06-03-24 Sown 220 seeds in a seed plate F and germinated at 18-03-24 but the seedlings did not survive in Serre11.
Protocol: Spring Surface Sowing mix+Sand 59-68°F Damp substrate+Light 1-2w
. . . 2020A Production of 20 plants in our nursery (Cultivated from unknown origin)
08-09-21 20x Dead plant: End of life: Serre6 F3.
. . . 2021A Collection of seeds in the garden collected at 07-06-21. (Cultivated from unknown origin)
. . . 2021A Production of 10 plants in our nursery (Cultivated from unknown origin)
04-08-22 10x Yearly plant: Serre6 F2.
. . . 2021A Production of 11 plants in our nursery (Cultivated from unknown origin)
08-09-21 11x Dead plant: End of life: Serre6 F3.
21-06-23B Obtaining seeds from seed provider Villa Thuret collected in '....'. (Cultivated from unknown origin)
06-03-24 Sown 15 seeds in a seed plate F and germinated at 23-05-24 but the seedlings did not survive in Serre6.
Protocol: Spring Surface Sowing mix+Sand 59-68°F Damp substrate+Light 1-2w