Avena barbata
| Wildflowers | Monocots | Poales | Poaceae | Avena |
Slender Wild Oats. This is a European import.
In 2014 it bloomed in April and May.
According to Clifton Smith most of the wild oats seen on our trails are of this species, while nearer the coast A. fatua (a slightly taller plant) predominates.
Seen on most trails, and across our meadows (Most of the grasses at Forbush (in August) seem to be this species).
The seeds of all Oats are edible (I’m told this one tastes good), but the seeds of the wild oats species are smaller than the cultivated species.
Wildflowers in Santa Barbara 
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