Japanese name: ヌカススキ（糠薄） Scientific name:Aira caryophyllea
[Overview]
An annual 10–30 cm tall, found along roadsides and similar places.
The culm (stem) is slender, branching at the base and standing erect.
The leaves are linear and rolled inward, with a ligule 0.3–0.5 cm high.
The tip of the culm (stem) branches finely and bears rather sparse spikelets, forming a paniculate flower spike 1–12 cm long.
The spikelets are about 0.3 cm long and consist of 2 florets; because each floret has an awn, two awns project from each spikelet.
The spikelets are white.
The stalk of the spikelet is no more than twice the length of the spikelet.
The very similar Hana-nukasusuki can be distinguished by its longer spikelet stalks and single awn.
[History]
It was introduced as an ornamental in the early Meiji period and has become naturalized.
[Notes]
The Japanese name is said to liken the small white spikelets to rice bran (nuka).
