Universal List of Species Seed descriptions

Universal List of Species Seed descriptions Draft May 2008

5. Alopecurus geniculatus L. Marsh Foxtail ISTA PSD: 34 Spikelet, oblong, flattened (2-3 x 1-1.5mm). The brown, ellipsoid and flattened caryopsis is detachable. It is normally covered by the awned lemma and two ciliate glumes, usually exceeding the lemma. Awn geniculate, usually longer than the lemma. Palea absent. Colour strawyellow or brownish. Supprimé : Floret 6. Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. Black Grass ISTA PSD: 34 Floret, lanceolate, flattened (5-7 x 1.5-2mm), almost glabrous. The yellowish, ellipsoid and flattened caryopsis is detachable. It is covered by two persistent glumes, fused for half of their length. These yellow glumes mask the lemma (only its awn which is as long as the floret, is visible). Palea absent. Callus circular, prominent. 7. Amaranthus spp. Pigweeds FAMILY: Amaranthaceae ISTA PSD: 10 Seed, lens-shaped, oval or circular in outline (0.8-1 mm diameter). Surface glossy, smooth, black or dark-brown, with a slight indentation on the edge. Annuals or perennials 2

9. Ammi majus L. Bullwort FAMILY: Apiaceae ISTA PSD: not available Achene, oblong (1.7-2.5 x 0.7-1mm), polygonal in transection. The convex, dorsal side, has five longitudinal, slender ridges. The ventral side, with a longitudinal groove, is seldom flat. The style or a fragment of pedicel may persist. Colour greenish-brown. Sometimes pairs of achenes remain attached. 10. Anthemis cotula L. Stinking Chamomile Achene, comma-shaped (1-2 x 0.5-1mm), presenting about 10 longitudinal, tuberculate ribs. Sometimes the achenes are slightly curved. Colour from brown to dark brown. Annual FAMILY: Asteraceae ISTA PSD: not available 11. Apera spicaventi (L.) P. Beauv. Loose Silky-bent Floret, small and narrowly fusoid (1.5-2.5 x 0.3-0.5mm), with a ventral furrow, allowing the palea at the base to be seen. Lemma rough at the top, prolonged by a filiform awn that may reach four times the length of the floret. Colour beige. Annual ISTA PSD: not available 3

13. Avena fatua L. Wild-oat ISTA PSD: 33 Floret, large, conical (10-15 x 2-3mm), furrowed on its ventral side. Lemma bifid, hairy, carrying a 20-30mm twisted and bent awn. Palea partly hidden, visible only at the base of the furrow. Rhachilla flattened, with a triangular top. The upper floret has no rhachilla and is attached to the rhachilla of the lower floret. The hollow callus, in the form of a horse-shoe, is surrounded by reddish hairs. Small, awned florets, 6-8mm long, may also be found. Colour from beige to dark reddish-brown. Annual 18. Bifora spp. FAMILY: Apiaceae ISTA PSD: not available 23. Bromus hordeaceus L. Soft-brome ISTA PSD: 33 OF Bifora radians M. Bieb. Achene globular (2.5-4mm diameter), with a cordate commissure. The deep cavity lodged in the commissural perimeter is long, with a beak on one border and two teeth opposite. Two achenes are sometimes found joined at the commissure. Surface mat sometimes rough, beige, with five lines that converge over the cavityfor one specie. Floret, lanceolate (6-8 x 1.5-2mm), with pubescent lemmas, broader over the apex. The convex, 2-lobed lemma is 7-9 nerved, the middle nerve being prolonged by a fine, straight and rough awn, 3-6mm long. Palea concave, rarely ciliate on the margins. Short, barrel-shaped rhachilla have a circular, forward-sloping, scarred apex. Colour yellowish-brown to greyish-brown. Annual or biennial. 4

24. Bromus sterilis L. Barren Brome ISTA PSD: 33 Floret, large, fusoid (15 x 1.7-2mm), whose lemmas have a membranous tip, 4-5mm long. The lemma is rough, with prominent veins; its awn is 2-3 times longer than the floret. Palea is concave, with ciliate margins. Rhachilla narrow, 3mm long, whitish, with apex obliquely truncate. Colour violet to dark violet. 25. Capsella bursapastoris (L.) Medik. Shepherd s-purse FAMILY: Brassicaceae Seed, small, oblong, a little flattened (1 x 0.5mm), with a longitudinal furrow on each side. The base conserves a whitish vestige of the funiculus. Apex round, slightly broader than the base. Surface discretely lustrous, reddish-brown. Annual or biennial. 26. Centaurea cyanus L. Cornflower FAMILY: Asteraceae Achene, cone-shaped, (3-5 x 1.5-2mm), slightly flattened, notched at the base and carrying a bristly pappus at its top. Surface smooth, glossy and a little downy. Colour greenish-blue, except the yellow indentation and yellow rim at the base of reddish pappus. Annual or biennial. ISTA PSD: 4 5

27. Chenopodium spp. FAMILY: Chenopodiaceae OF Chenopodium album L. Achene, lenticular, (1-2.0mm diameter), smooth, black and glossy, presenting a radial furrow near a short appendix. The surface is often covered by a thin, whitish-brown pericarp, striate radially. Some achenes are enclosed in a 5-sepal, greenish-brown calyx (usually deciduous). 29. Cichorium intybus L. Chicory FAMILY: Asteraceae ISTA PSD: 4 Achene, pyramidaldissymmetrical or wedgeshaped (2-3 x 1-1.5mm). The top, broader than the base, carries a short pappus of scales, less than 0.5mm long. Surface longitudinally fluted. Colour from whitish-brown to brownblack, sometimes with darker mottling. 30. Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping Thistle FAMILY: Asteraceae Achene, cone-shaped, slightly compressed (2-3 x 1-1.2mm) and a little curved. The top is oblique-truncate, with a ridge around the vestige of the style. The surface, very finely striate and glossy, is light beige or reddish-brown. 6

31. Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Spear Thistle FAMILY: Asteraceae Achene, somewhat cylindrical, slightly compressed (3-4.5 x 1.2-1.8mm) and a little curved. The top is oblique-truncate, with a ridge around the vestige of the style. Surface glossy, often striped by discontinuous, blackish lines. Colour strawyellow or grey. Previous name : Cirsium lanceolatum. Biennial. 33. Convolvulus arvensis L. Field Bindweed FAMILY: Convolvulaceae Seed, pyriform (3-4 x 2-3mm), comprising one convex side, larger than the other two flattened sides that form the keel. The base is narrow, with a terminal, circular, concave hilum. Surface verrucose dark brown. ISTA PSD: 10 34. Cuscuta spp. Dodders FAMILY: Convolvulaceae Seeds, irregularly rounded or globular (0.8-1.5mm diameter), slightly 3-angled in transection. The base carries the hilum, located in the centre of a small spot, less granular than the rest of the seed. Surface rugose, granular. Colour from yellowishbeige to grey-brown. Annual parastic plants. 7

40. Datura stramonium L. Thorn-apple FAMILY: Solanaceae Seed, broadly reniform, dissymmetrical (3-4 x 2.5-3mm), flattened. Small, whitish hilum near the ventral notch. Surface granular, slightly embossed, sometimes with blurred, broad wrinkles. Colour black, grey or dark-brown. ISTA PSD: 10 42. Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. Hairy Finger-grass ISTA PSD: 36 Floret spikelet, elliptical, flattened (2.5-3.5 1.7-3.4 x 0.8-1 0.7-1.1mm), with two short pubescent glumes at the base glumes membranous, lower glume 0.2-0.4mm long, upper glume 1/3 ½ as long as the spikelet, 3-veined, pubescent. Lower lemma membranous, sterile, +/- equal to upper lemma in length, 7-veined, veins +/- scabrous. Upper lemmas awnless, flattened, with 5-7 veins cartilaginous. Palea convex, pointed and smooth. Colour from beige to brown. 44. Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) P. Beauv. Cockspur ISTA PSD: 36 Spikelet, ellipsoid (2.5-3 x 1.5-2mm), awned or awnless, flattened on its ventral side. Lower glume triangular and short (a third of the floret s length). Upper glume acutely pointed, convex (the length of the floret), with hairs on the prominent nerves. Lemma humped. Palea striate and flattened. The second lemma, deriving from a sterile flower, is sometimes awned. Colour from greenish-yellow to brown. Supprimé : Floret 8

47. Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. Ex Nevski. Common Couch Floret, fusoid (6-10 x 1.5-1.8mm), with convex lemma, 5-7 nerved, sometimes awned, the awn always being shorter than the lemma. Palea slightly concave, with finely ciliate margins. Rhachilla flattened. Callus Sinus U-shaped below base of rachilla. Colour yellowish-beige. ISTA PSD: 28 50. Erodium cicutarium (L.) L Her. Common Stork s-bill FAMILY: Geraniaceae Achene, spindle-shaped, (5-6 x 1-1.2mm), with a beak of 10-25 mm, spirally twisted at the base and falcate at its top. Surface abundantly covered with short hairs, except the beak, that bears long and sparse hairs. Colour reddish-brown. 51. Fallopia convolvulus (L.) A. Löve Black-bindweed FAMILY: Polygonaceae Achene, trigonal (3-4.5 x 2.5-3mm), with slightly concave sides, delimited by curved, sharp and glossy ridges. Surface black, finely punctate, lustreless, often covered (entirely or partially) by the dessiccated perianth. 9

55. Galeopsis tetrahit L. Common Hemp-nettle FAMILY: Lamiaceae ISTA PSD: 18 Nutlet, pyriform (3-3.5 x 2-2.5mm), convex on dorsal side and keeled on ventral side. Base tapering and blunt. Upper third broad and semicircular. Surface matt, brown, with a variety of grey to brown mottlings. Supprimé : Achene Supprimé : n Inséré : n 56. Galium aparine L. Cleavers FAMILY: Rubiaceae Achene, globular (2-3 mm diameter), coming from a diachene and exhibiting a depression. Surface bristly, covered with tubercles which are themselves surmounted by spiny, fragile and hooked bristles. Colour from yellowish green to grey-brown. 58. Geranium spp. FAMILY: Geraniaceae ISTA PSD: 17 Seed, ovoid (1.5-2 x 0.6-1.8mm). G. dissectum L. : Surface rough, spongy-looking, that appears minutely pitted under the magnifying glass. G. molle L. : Seed covered by a diagonally ridged carpel. The ridges are pale and often forked. G. pusillum : Seed covered by a pubescent carpel. The carpel is ventral dehiscent and pointed at one end. 10

63. Holcus lanatus L. Yorkshire-fog ISTA PSD: 35 65. Hypochaeris radicata L. Cat s Ear FAMILY: Asteraceae Floret, oblong (4-5 x 1.5mm), often attached to a sterile flower whose lemma has a short awn (awn recurved to backwardlyhooked in the glumes). Glumes pubescent, almost equal in length but unequal in width. The lemma is translucent and covers most of the caryopsis. The palea is thin and membranous. Colour whitish-yellow. Achene, narrow, fusoid (3-4 x 0.6-0.8mm), with a fragile beak up to 10mm long, which sometimes keeps its plumose pappus. Surface consists of about fifteen fine, denticulate ribs (easily visible with a magnifying glass). Colour dark brown. 67. Lapsana communis L. Nipplewort Achene, fusoid, curved (3-5 x 1mm), finely fluted and slightly flattened, with a rim at the top. Ventral side discretely keeled. Colour from silvery-beige to brown. FAMILY: Asteraceae 11

73. Malva spp. Mallows FAMILY: Malvaceae ISTA PSD: 16 OF Malva alcea L. Mericarp, reniform, flattened, semi-circular in outline (1-3mm diameter). Lateral indentation well marked. Mericarp matt, bicoloured (central zone grey, peripheral black, exhibiting radial pleats). Some mericarps may stay attached to each other. Supprimé : Achene Supprimé : Achene Supprimé : achenes 79. Panicum capillare L. Witch-grass ISTA PSD: 36 Spikelet, fusoid (2-2.5 x 0.7-1mm), slightly flattened, awnless and pointed, retaining two glumes (the superior long and broad with prominent veins, the inferior much shorter). Lemma with five veins, palea with only three. The second lemma belongs to a sterile flower. Colour from beige to brownishviolet. The enclosed caryopsis is ellipsoid and shiny. Supprimé : Floret 82. Persicaria maculosa Gray. Redshank FAMILY: Polygonaceae Achene, pyriform, flattened, rarely trigonal (2-2.5 x 1.5-2mm). One side is usually convex. Base rounded, often covered by the remains of a papery perianth, that may envelop the achene completely. Apex shortly pointed. Surface shiny, black. 12

85. Picris echioides L. Bristly Oxtongue FAMILY: Asteraceae Achenes, oblong, of two kinds. The achenes from the peripheral zone of the capitulum are larger (3.5 x 1.5mm), whitish and curved, pointed at the base and rounded at the top; ventral side downy, drosal side transversely wrinkled. The central achenes are smaller (2.5 x 1mm), brownorange, tapering towards the base; the surface is covered by fine, transversal, broken and wavy wrinkles. Annual or biennial. 87. Plantago lanceolata L. Ribwort Plantain FAMILY: Plantaginaceae Seed, oblong (2-3 x 1-1.5mm), translucent, with a lightcoloured stripe along the convex side. The rim of the underside is curled in and forms a trough in which the black hilum appears. Surface glossy, brown, with caramel appearance. ISTA PSD: 10 88. Plantago major L. Greater Plantain FAMILY: Plantaginaceae ISTA PSD: 10 Seed, angular, flattened (1.2-1.5 x 0.8-1mm), with an irregular, polygonal shape. Surface very finely striate, coloured beige to reddish-brown. Under considerable magnification, a radially-disposed striation surrounding the whitish hilum can be seen. 13

89. Poa annua L. Annual Meadow-grass ISTA PSD: 41 Floret, fusoid, usually awnless, (2-3 x 0.8-1mm). Lemma with five pubescent veins. Palea with two pubescent keels. Base retains short, woolly and often deciduous hair. Rhachilla smooth, filiform, with a flattened and slightly enlarged apex. Colour from greenish-beige to brown. Annual or biennial. 92. Polygonum aviculare L. Knotgrass FAMILY: Polygonaceae Achene, trigonal, elongated (2.5-3 x 1.5-2mm), with slightly concave sides, one being larger than the other two. Base rounded, often covered by the vestiges of the papery perianth, that may envelop the achene entirely. Apex pointed. Surface dull, finely wrinkled longitudinally, dark redishbrown. 93. Portulaca oleracea L. Common Purslane FAMILY: Portulacaceae ISTA PSD: 10 Seed, comma-shaped (0.8-1.2 x 0.6-1mm), flattened, sometimes almost circular in outline. The hilum, covered by a white, floury caruncle, is located in the basal notch, near an apiculate appendix. Surface black, barely lustrous to lustreless. When magnified, appears to be covered by small tubercles, disposed in concentric lines. 14

94. Raphanus raphanistrum L. Wild Radish FAMILY: Brassicaceae Siliqua, pointed (20-50mm long), sometimes articulated or longitudinally ribbed. Surface rough, from beige to brown. Each segment encloses an ovoid, reddish-brown seed (2-2.5mm diameter). Often the siliqua breaks transversely in fragments of 1-3 monosperm, indehiscent segments. Annual or biennial. ISTA PSD: 23 96. Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All. Bastard Cabbage FAMILY: Brassicaceae ISTA PSD: 23 Silicula, with two indehiscent segments (usually easy to separate). The upper segment (1.5-3mm diameter) is a globular, ribbed monosperm ans narrows into a fragile, spiny beak. The lower segment is much narrower and resembles a hypertrophied pedicel (enclosing one or two seeds). Silicula beige or brown. 97. Rumex acetosella L. Sheep s Sorrel FAMILY: Polygonaceae ISTA PSD: 2 Achene, trigonal or rhombic, short (1-1.5 x 0.8-1mm), with pointed extremities. The 3-4 sides are limited by curved ridges. Surface shiny, brown coloured, covered with a rough perianth (of the same colour), that may be strongly adherent and persistent in certain subspecies. 15

100. Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult. Yellow Bristle-grass ISTA PSD: 36 Spikelet, flat-convex (2-3 x 1-2mm), awnless, elliptic in outline, with a pointed apex. Glumes short, the superior one being a little longer. Lemma transversely wrinkled and hardened. Base rounded. Colour from greyish-yellow to dark brown. The enclosed caryopsis is equally flat-convex and elliptic in outline. Supprimé : Floret 101. Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. Green Bristle-grass ISTA PSD: 36 Spikelet, flat-convex (2-2.5 x 1-1.3mm), awnless, elliptic in outline. Upper glume almost as long as the floret. Lower glume shorter. Lemmas hardened, with pointed apices. Lemma finely and transversely rugose. Base rounded. Colour greenishyellow, often with a brown or violet tint. Supprimé : Floret 105. Sinapis arvensis L. Charlock FAMILY: Brassicaceae ISTA PSD: 10 Seed, globular (1-1.6mm diameter), satiny to the naked eye but finely punctate under a magnifying glass. Colour from grey to reddish-brown or blackish-brown. 16

106. Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. Hedge Mustard FAMILY: Brassicaceae Seed, oblong to 3-angled (1-1.3 x 0.5-1mm), flattened on one side. Base truncate, sometimes concave. Surface granular and a little lustrous. Under magnification the striate surface can be seen. Colour from reddish-brown to blackishbrown. Annual or biennial. 107. Solanum nigrum L. Black Nightshade FAMILY: Solanaceae Seed, comma-shaped, flattened (2-2.5 x 1.5-1.8mm). The hilum region sometimes exhibits an identation. Surface matt, cellular-looking, minutely pitted. Colour from yellow to brown. ISTA PSD: 10 110. Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Johnson-grass ISTA PSD: 42 Floret spikelet, ellipsoid (4-5 x 1.7-2mm), glossy, flattened on one side, with two rhachillas one rachis segment and one pedicel (sterile spikelet often remaining attached) which are often pubescent and dilated over the concave apex. The floret spikelet consists of a pair of hardened gumes glumes, enclosing a thin translucent lemma and palea hyaline sterile lower lemma and an upper fertile floret with hyaline lemma and palea, this lemma may or may not be awned. The caryopsis is ovoid and brownish. The floret is yellow to reddish-brown. 17

111. Spergula arvensis L. Corn Spurrey FAMILY: Caryophyllaceae Seed, lenticular, round (1-1.5mm diameter), edged with a narrow wing. The seed is black and thee wing is yellow or light brown. Under magnification, the surface of certain seeds can be seen to be covered with brown, clavate papillae. Annual ISTA PSD: 10 113. Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Common Chickweed FAMILY: Caryophyllaceae Seed, lenticular (1-1.3mm diameter), round or oval in outline, with an identation on the edge. Surface covered with small, star-shaped tubercles arranged in concentric lines. Colour from reddish-brown to dark brown. Annual 115. Thlaspi arvense L. Field Penny-cress FAMILY: Brassicaceae Seed, oval, flattened (1.5-2.2 x 1-1.5mm). The base retains the whitish vestige of the funiculus. Each side has 5-7 concentric furrows running from the hilum, which are lustrous and arranged elliptically. The small ridges that separate the furrows are slightly rough. Colour from purplishbrown to brown-black. 18

120. Tripleurospermum perforatum (Mérat) M. Lainz Scentless Mayweed Achene, pyramidaldissymmetrical (2-3 x 1-1.5mm), with pale, lateral ridges. Each side is wellmarked by a longitudinal furrow. Apex broad, with a deep depression. Surface discretely lustrous. Colour dark brown. Annual FAMILY: Asteraceae 124. Verbena officinalis L. Vervain FAMILY: Verbenaceae ISTA PSD: 18 Nutlet, semicylindrical (1.7-2 x 0.6-0.8mm), oblong in outline, bicoloured. The dorsal face, convex and brown coloured, exhibits some irregular ribs, anastomosed over the apex. The ventral face, slightly keeled, is covered with a mattress of white micro-granules (easily seen under strong magnification). Supprimé : Achene 127. Viola spp. FAMILY: Violaceae ISTA PSD: 13 OF Viola arvensis : Seed, pyriform or elongated obovoid (1.5-1.8 x 0.7-1mm). The pointed base carries an oblique hilum, covered with a whitish strophiole. The rounded apex has a slightly concave, dark spot. Under magnification, a dark line, connecting the hilum to the spot, can be seen. Surface smooth, glossy. Colour from beige to brown. Supprimé : 19

Species of the Universal List included in this document Species Family 5 Alopecurus geniculatus L. Poaceae 6 Alopecurus myosuroides Huds. Poaceae 7 Amaranthus spp. Amaranthaceae 9 Ammi majus L. Apiaceae 10 Anthemis cotula L. Asteraceae 11 Apera spica-venti (L.) P. Beauv. Poaceae 13 Avena fatua L. Poaceae 18 Bifora spp. Apiaceae 23 Bromus hordeaceus L. Poaceae 24 Bromus sterilis L. Poaceae 25 Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. Brassicaceae 26 Centaurea cyanus L. Asteraceae 27 Chenopodium spp. Chenopodiaceae 29 Cichorium intybus L. Asteraceae 30 Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Asteraceae 31 Cirsium vulgare (Savi) Ten. Asteraceae 33 Convolvulus arvensis L. Convolvulaceae 34 Cuscuta spp. Convolvulaceae 40 Datura stramonium L. Solanaceae 42 Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop. Poaceae 44 Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv. Poaceae 47 Elytrigia repens (L.) Desv. ex Nevski Poaceae 50 Erodium cicutarium (L.) L'Her. Geraniaceae 51 Fallopia convolvulus (L.) A. Love Polygonaceae 55 Galeopsis tetrahit L. Lamiaceae 56 Galium aparine L. Rubiaceae 58 Geranium spp. Geraniaceae 63 Holcus lanatus L. Poaceae 65 Hypochaeris radicata L. Asteraceae 67 Lapsana communis L. Asteraceae 73 Malva spp. Malvaceae 79 Panicum capillare L. Poaceae 82 Persicaria maculosa Gray. Polygonaceae 85 Picris echioides L. Asteraceae 87 Plantago lanceolata L. Plantaginaceae 88 Plantago major L. Plantaginaceae 89 Poa annua L. Poaceae 92 Polygonum aviculare L. Polygonaceae 93 Portulaca oleracea L. Portulacaceae 94 Raphanus raphanistrum L. Brassicaceae 96 Rapistrum rugosum (L.) All. Brassicaceae 97 Rumex acetosella L. Polygonaceae 100 Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult. Poaceae 101 Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. Poaceae 105 Sinapis arvensis L. Brassicaceae 106 Sisymbrium officinale (L.) Scop. Brassicaceae 20

Species of the Universal List included in this document 107 Solanum nigrum L. Solanaceae 110 Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers. Poaceae 111 Spergula arvensis L. Caryophyllaceae 113 Stellaria media (L.) Vill. Caryophyllaceae 115 Thlaspi arvense L. Brassicaceae 120 Tripleurospermum perforatum (Mérat) M. Lainz Asteraceae 124 Verbena officinalis L. Verbenaceae 127 Viola spp. Violaceae 21