AVENA L. - OAT
Scientific Description:
Annuals. Ligule membranous. Leaf blades flat, linear, acute to acuminate. Inflorescence a panicle. Spikelets with 2−5 florets. Rachilla disarticulating above glumes and sometimes between florets, fragile in wild species, but tough in cultivated ones. Glumes lanceolate, acuminate, subequal to unequal; lower glume 5−7-veined; upper glume 7−11-veined. Lemma coriaceous, 7−9-veined, 2-dentate or with 2 setae, dorsally awned; callus cushion-shaped in wild species, ± hairy; awn usually geniculate, twisted in lower half. Palea shorter than lemma, bifid, 2-keeled. Lodicules 2. Stamens 3. Caryopsis oblong, hairy with a groove on its adaxial surface; embryo 1/8 of its length; hilum basal, punctiform.
Reference:
Doğan M (1985). Avena L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 9: 302.
Public Description:
Avena is a genus of annual herbs, known as “oat”, and is widespreads throughout Europe, Asia and northwest Africa. There are 22 species in the world and 8 species (11 taxa) in Türkiye. Oat grains, which contain starch, protein, vitamins and minerals in abundance, are mostly used as animal feed. The plants are given to the animals as fresh feed or dry grain. They are not used in making bread because the dough prepared from oat flour does not rise like wheat flour. The grains are especially added to the high nutritional mixes and is used as puree in foods such as bread, breakfast cereals, biscuits. They are also used in preparations to treat dry skin.
References:
Anonymous 1 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avena/,Accessed date: 07.03.2016.
Anonymous 2 (2016). http://www.theplantlist.org/1.1/browse/A/Poaceae/Avena/,Accessed date: 07.03.2016.
Cabi E, Doğan M (2012). Avena L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 699–700.
.JPG)