Aegilops geniculata is an annual grass that grows in tufts. The rounded stems are geniculate, generally upright and grow from 4-12 in. (10-30 cm) long. A. geniculata is native to Africa, temperate Asia and Europe.
Foliage
The leaves are pubescent with an eciliate membranous ligule. They are flat and linear from 1.2-3.0 x 0.2-0.9 in. (4-8 cm x 1.5-3 mm) long by wide.
Flowers
The inflorescence is made up of racemes. The fertile spikelets are urn shaped. Glumes have distinctive awns from 0.8-1.4 in. (2-3.5 cm) long.
Fruit
The fruit is a caryopsis that is ellipsoid in shape with a longitudinal groove. The fruit is hairy at the apex and contains a single seed.
Ecological Threat
A. geniculata can be found growing along roadsides, ditches, abandoned fields and other disturbed sites.