Boehmer’s cat’s-tail (Phleum phleoides, Deut. Fl.: 374 (1880))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) H.Karst.

Bibliography: Deut. Fl.: 374 (1880)

Year: 1880

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phleum

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. Africa, Europe to Siberia and Iran

Description

Boehmer’s cat’s-tail, scientifically known as Phleum phleoides, is an integral species within the Poaceae family. Native to a vast range of geographical regions, this resilient plant is found across Northern Africa and extends through Europe, reaching as far as Siberia and Iran. Its widespread occurrence highlights its adaptability to various climates and terrains.

Phleum phleoides was first detailed in the German flora reference “Deut. Fl.: 374” in the year 1880. The official scientific classification and description were provided by the renowned botanist (L.) H.Karst., cementing its botanical identity.

Boehmer’s cat’s-tail is characterized by its distinctive inflorescence, resembling the bushy tail of a cat, which justifies its charming common name. As a member of the Poaceae family, it shares common traits with other grasses, including its growth habits and ecological roles. This plant plays a significant role in its native habitats, contributing to the biodiversity and stability of the ecosystems it inhabits.

Whether growing in the temperate climates of Europe or thriving in the colder expanses of Siberia, Phleum phleoides exemplifies nature’s capacity for survival and adaptation. Its study not only enhances our understanding of grass species but also underscores the complex biodiversity present across continents.

Common Names

Eng: boehmer’s cat’s-tail, purple-stem cat’s-tail, boehmer’s timothy, pointed catstail, purple stem cat’s-tail, purple-stemmed cat’s tail
Deu: glanz-lieschgras, steppen-lieschgras
Dan: glat rottehale
Swe: flentimotej, helpitähkiö, flenkampe
Fin: helpitähkiö
Nor: rør-græs
Nld: kalkdoddegras
Fra: fléole de boehmer
Cym: rhonwellt coesddu
En: Boehmer’s cat’s-tail, Purple-stem cat’s-tail, Boehmer’s timothy, Pointed Catstail, Purple Stem Cat’s-tail, Purple-stemmed cat’s tail
Ca: Flèum fleoide
Da: Glat rottehale
Nl: Kalkdoddegras
Fi: Helpitähkiö
Fr: Fléole de Boehmer, Phléole de Boehmer, Fléole fausse fléole
De: Glanz-Lieschgras, Steppen-Lieschgras, Glanzlieschgras
It: Codolina nuda
No: Rør-græs
Sv: Flentimotej, Helpitähkiö, Flenkampe
Cy: Rhonwellt Coesddu

Synonyms

• Phleum boehmeri var. sakarense (Velen.)
• Phleum boehmeri var. imberbe (Corb.)
• Chilochloa boemeri (P.Beauv.)
• Phleum phalaroides var. angustifolium (Beck)
• Phleum boehmeri var. maximum (Hack. & Briq.)
• Phleum boehmeri var. gracile (Hausskn.)
• Plantinia phalaroidea (Bubani)
• Phleum reclinatum (Gorter)
• Phleum boehmeri var. altissimum (Ducommun)
• Phleum ventricosum (Moench)
• Phleum boehmeri subsp. clausiflorum (Neuman)
• Phleum boehmeri var. ciliatum (Čelak.)
• Chilochloa phleoides ((L.) Desv.)
• Phleum hostii (Jacq.)
• Phleum phleoides var. blepharodes ((Asch. & Graebn.) Halácsy)
• Phleum boehmeri var. blepharodes (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Phleum phalaroides var. lobatum (Beck)
• Phleum boehmeri var. laeve (B.Fedtsch.)
• Phleum phleoides subsp. purpurascens (Zimmerman)
• Phleum glabrum (Bernh.)
• Phleum phleoides var. interruptum ((Zabel) Serb. & Nyár.)
• Phleum boehmeri (Wibel)
• Phleum arvense (Pourr.)
• Phleum phleoides var. ciliatum (Hayek)
• Phleum boehmeri subsp. cuspidatum ((Roem. & Schult.) K.Richt.)
• Phleum boehmeri var. laxum (Delastre)
• Heleochloa phalaroides ((L.) P.Beauv.)
• Phleum brevifolium (Dulac)
• Phalaris trigyna (Host)
• Phleum phalaroides var. latifolium (Beck)
• Phalaris phleoides (L.)
• Phleum boehmeri var. interruptum (Zabel)
• Phleum phalaris (Pers.)
• Phleum boehmeri var. scabrum (Peterm.)
• Phleum phalaroides (Koeler)
• Phleum laeve (M.Bieb.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Libya (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Amur (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jun 9, 2019 by Théa brocco (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2020 by Michael Kelinski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by ayala gonzalez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 22, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 30, 2019 by Kontaratos Christopher (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 23, 2019 by Peter Blaha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2020 by lemar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2021 by sylvain bo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2008 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc Gorremans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc Gorremans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Luc Gorremans (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Alain BIGOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 2, 1851 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4139238)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:415866-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phleum phleoides (L.) H.Karst.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth