Fragile oat (Gaudinia fragilis, Ess. Agrostogr.: 95 (1812))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) P.Beauv.

Bibliography: Ess. Agrostogr.: 95 (1812)

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Gaudinia

Vegetable: False

Observations: SC. Europe to Medit.

Description

Fragile oat, known scientifically as Gaudinia fragilis, is a noteworthy member of the Poaceae family. This grass, first described by the esteemed botanist Louis Claude Marie Richard in his seminal work “Essai d’une Nouvelle Agrostographie” published in 1812, holds a unique position in the botanical world.

Gaudinia fragilis is indigenous to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, thriving in these temperate climates. The plant’s delicate and slender appearance is a testament to its name, with ‘fragile’ aptly describing the tender, brittle nature of its stalks and leaves. This characteristic makes it easy to distinguish amongst other grasses within its habitat.

The fragile oat’s ecological role is significant, contributing to the biodiversity and stability of the ecosystems in which it resides. It provides food and habitat for various wildlife, and like many grasses, it plays a crucial part in soil conservation and fertility. As a member of the Poaceae family, its structural and functional attributes align closely with agricultural and ecological importance, similar to many of its grass relatives.

Through centuries of observation and study, Gaudinia fragilis continues to intrigue botanists and naturalists alike, offering insights into the intricate balance of plant life within its native regions. As we deepen our understanding of this fragile yet resilient species, it stands as a reminder of the delicate beauty and complexity inherent in the natural world.

Common Names

Dan: akshavre
Eng: fragile oat, french oat grass, french oat-grass, french oat
Deu: zerbrechlicher ährenhafer
Swe: axhavre
Spa: erva-da-índia
Ces: lámavka křehká
Hun: törékeny füzérzab
Nld: gaudinia
Nob: akshavre
Nno: akshavre
Cym: ceirchwellt ffrainc
En: Fragile oat, French oat grass, French Oat-grass, French Oat
Ca: Gaudínia
Cs: Lámavka křehká
Da: Akshavre
Nl: Gaudinia
Fr: Gaudinie, Gaudinie fragile
De: Zerbrechlicher Ährenhafer, Ährenhafer
He: גודיניה שבירה
Hu: Törékeny füzérzab
It: Forasacchino
Nb: Akshavre
Nn: Akshavre
Es: Erva-da-índia
Sv: Axhavre
Cy: Ceirchwellt Ffrainc

Synonyms

• Gaudinia biloba (Gand.)
• Gaudinia todaroi (Gand.)
• Gaudinia castellana (Gand.)
• Gaudinia stenostachya (Gand.)
• Gaudinia bicolor (Gand.)
• Gaudinia rigida (Gand.)
• Cylichnium fragile ((L.) Dulac)
• Gaudinia pubiglumis (Gand.)
• Gaudinia affinis (Gand.)
• Gaudinia pluriflora (Gand.)
• Gaudinia avenacea (P.Beauv.)
• Gaudinia pallida (Gand.)
• Gaudinia orientalis (Gand.)
• Gaudinia neglecta (Gand.)
• Gaudinia fragilis var. villosa (Maire)
• Avena fragilis (L.)
• Meringurus africanus (Murb.)
• Gaudinia colorata (Gand.)
• Gaudinia fragilis var. glabriglumis (Ronniger)
• Gaudinia fragilis var. filiformis ((Albert) Nyman)
• Gaudinia gracilescens (Gand.)
• Gaudinia eriantha (Gand.)
• Trisetum hohenackeri (C.Presl)
• Gaudinia filiformis (Albert)
• Gaudinia conferta (Gand.)
• Gaudinia fragilis var. pubescens (Lojac.)
• Gaudinia fragilis var. verticicola (Rivas Mart. & A.Galán)
• Gaudinia fragilis var. linearis (Albert)
• Gaudinia fragilis var. nardoides (Albert)
• Gaudinia fragilis var. brevispica (Albert)
• Gaudinia multiculmis (Gand.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Kerguelen (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Benjamin Suze (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Claude FIGUREAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2007 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 3, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Claude FIGUREAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2012 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2021 by kate kate (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 9, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Benjamin Suze (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 23, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 23, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 19, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Diane CORBIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken May 28, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent BECK (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5290242)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:403944-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Gaudinia fragilis (L.) P.Beauv.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 6