Grass Inflorescences (Branched, Spike, Spike-Like)

A grass stem has leaves at its base. Everything above the leaves is the grass inflorescence, which includes the stem, sometimes branches, and spikelets.

Branched inflorescences are arrangements where spikelets are connected to the stem by stalks.

Foxtail Chess

(Bromus madritensis ssp. madritensis)

Photo by Wilde Legard

Rattlesnake Grass (Briza maxima)

Photo by William Follette

Spike-Like inflorescences are arrangements where spikelets appear to attach directly to the stem, even if they have short, hidden branches.

Beardless Wild Rye (Elymus triticoides)

Photo by Zoya Akulova-Barlow

Canarygrass (Phalaris californica)

Photo by Toni Corelli

Foxtail Barley (Hordeum murinum ssp. leporinum)

Photo by Wilde Legard

Harding Grass (Phalaris aquatica)

William Follette

Borderline cases

Young grasses often have congested inflorescences that make it hard to tell if they’re going to end up branched or not. If you’re looking at a young plant and aren’t sure about branching, don’t search using this characteristic.

Also, some mature inflorescences are confusing – they may have very short branches, or a mix of branched and unbranched florets. In these cases, the PlantID Inflorescence search will find the grass whether you search on Spike or Branched.

Small Fescue (Festuca microstachys)

Photo by Zoya Akulova-Barlow

Lower florets branched

Little California Melic (Melica imperfecta)

Photo by Steve Matson

Very short stalks

Want more? Learn about grass spikelets.

Corrections/Comments: bruce@PlantID.net