Wild Oat
Common Name: Wild Oat
Other Names: Common Wild Oat
Species Name: Avena fatua L.
Plant Type: Grasses & Grass-like
Family Name: Poaceae
Examples of Wild Oat Avena fatua L.
| Plant Facts | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Introduced, Europe |
| Duration | Annual |
| Season | Cool |
| Distribution in the U.S. | Common throughout much of western North America |
| Distribution in Oklahoma | Throughout the state |
ID Characteristics
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Field Identification Characteristics
- Seedling leaves twist counter-clockwise when viewed from above the plant stem; small marginal hairs can be seen on leaf edges
- A long pointed papery ligule arises from the leaf collar; spares hairs are found along leaf margins
- Lemmas with a prominent awn up to 4 centimeters long
- Twisted awn which bends at right angles and a horseshoe-shaped scar at its seed base
- Seeds are yellow to black in color, narrowly oval, 1/4 to 1/2 inches long
-
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
- Sheath: Open
- Blade: 1/8 to 5/8 inches wide
- Ligule: Membranous
- Stems: Erect, hollow
-
Floral Characteristics
- Inflorescence: Open panicle, 4-18 inches long, drooping
- Spikelets: Contain 2-3 florets which disarticulate above the glumes
- Flower timing: June-August
| Habitat/Ecology | |
|---|---|
| Soil Type | Varies |
| Habitat | Spring-seeded small grain crop fields, roadsides, pastures and waste areas |
| Successional Stage | Mid |