Avena fatua
Common name
wild oat
Family
Poaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Grasses
NVS code
The National Vegetation Survey (NVS) Databank is a physical archive and electronic databank containing records of over 94,000 vegetation survey plots - including data from over 19,000 permanent plots. NVS maintains a standard set of species code abbreviations that correspond to standard scientific plant names from the Ngä Tipu o Aotearoa - New Zealand Plants database.
AVEFAT
Conservation status
Not applicable
Similar taxa
Root system extensive and fibrous. Stems smooth, stout, 0.3-1.2 m high. Leaves 7.5-20cm long, resembling those of tame oats. Spikelets distinguished by long dark awns, the lower part twisted, the upper parts bent sharply at right angles to twisted parts. (Wax, Fawcett, Isley eds. 1981).
Life cycle
Reproduces by seed. Seeds vary from white to yellow, brown, grey, or black; are usually hairy, especially near base. Distinguished from cultivated oats by the round
Year naturalised
1872
Origin
Eurasia and N. Africa
Etymology
avena: Ancient Latin name for oats.