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slender oat
Scientific Name: Avena barbata
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Annual
Other Names:
Slender Wild Oat (Avena barbata)
Avena barbata, commonly known as slender wild oat, is an annual grass species with edible seeds, found in various parts of the world. It is often referred to simply as slender oat or slim oat.
Considerations for Pets
- Avena barbata is a grass.
Considerations for Children
- Avena barbata is a grass.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Avena barbata Pott ex Link
- Common Names: Slender wild oat, slender oat, slim oat, barbed oat, bearded oat
- Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
- Kingdom: plantae
- Other Taxonomic Information:
- Phylum: spermatophyta
- Class: monocotyledonae
- Order: poales
- Synonyms: Avena strigosa subsp. barbata (Pott ex Link) Thell., slender oats, slender wildoat
- Similar Species: Avena fatua (wild oat)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Asia and Mediterranean Europe.
- Widely introduced to other regions.
- Found throughout the western U.S.
- Grows in nearly every grassland area.
- Does well in sandy/poor soils.
Ecological Role
- Listed in Invasive Species Most Unwanted lists.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Annual grass.
- Grows 30-60 cm tall.
- Erect stems, glabrous to short-soft-hairy.
- Leaves alternate, ligules 1-4 mm long, lacerate.
- Inflorescence has well-spaced florets.
- Flowering from June to July, seeds ripen from August to October.
Genetic Information
- Diploidized autotetraploid grass (2n=4x=28).
Interactions with Other Organisms
- Root exudates and root debris can enhance phenanthrene biodegradation in soil.
Further Information
- USDA PLANTS database (Symbol: AVBA)
- CalPhotos (images by Keir Morse and James B. Gratiot)
- Dave's Garden