LAMSON-SCRIBNER AND MERRILL — GRASSES OF ALASKA. 63 



In damp soils, the Pribilof and Aleutian islands to southeastern Alaska and south- 

 ward to Oregon; also in northern Europe and Asia, 



This species is closely related to Deschampsia caespitosa and in many cases the two 

 forms can only be separated arbitrarily. In general, however, Deschampsia bottnica 

 is distinguished by its narrower panicles, larger spikelets, often longer awn, and 

 thicker, firmer leaves, which are usually involute. 



5. Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) Beauv. Ess. Agrost. 91. 1812. Hairorass. 

 Aira caespitosa L. Sp. PI. 64. 1753. 



A cespitose, glabrous perennial 60 to 100 cm. high, with usually flat leaves, glabrous 

 beneath, scabrous above, and open panicles 10 to 20 cm. in length; spikelets 3 to 4 

 mm. long; awn slender, equaling or a little shorter than the lemma. 



In damp soils, Shumagin Islands and Bristol Bay to the upper Yukon, eastward to 

 Newfoundland and southward to New Jersey, Minnesota, New Mexico, and California; 

 also in Europe and Asia. 



Specimens examined: Fort Yukon, Georgeson 21, Bates in 1889; White River, 

 Gorman 1150; Dawson, Williams in 1899; Shumagin Islands, Trelease & Saunders 

 2928, Harrington in 1871-72; Unalaska, Macoun in 1891; Nushagak, McKay in 1881; 

 without locality, Bates in 1889. 



6. Deschampsia alpina (L.) Roem. & Schult. Syst. Veg. 2: 686. 1817. 

 Aira alpina L. Sp. PI. 65. 1753. 



A densely cespitose perennial 30 cm. high or less with numerous, flat or folded basal 

 leaves, glabrous beneath, scabrous above, and pyramidal panicles 10 cm. long or less; 

 panicles often rather densely flowered, the lower branches spreading or ascending, 

 fasciculate, 5 to 6 cm. long, flower-bearing above the middle; spikelets about 5 mm. 

 long, very similar to those of Deschampsia caespitosa. 



In damp soil, islands of Bering Sea and Alaska Peninsula; also in northern North 

 America, Europe, and Asia. 



Specimens examined: Cold Bay, Piper 4726; St. Paul Island, Macoun 128, Palmer, 

 Trelease & Saunders 3005, Dall's Expedition, Elliott in 1872, Merriam in 1891; Seal 

 Islands, Bryant in 1875; St. Matthew Island, Coville <fe Kearney 2103. 



The species here recognized as Deschampsia alpina differs in some respects from the 

 European specimens, but the points of difference are not sufficiently constant and 

 distinct to warrant its recognition as a new species. It intergrades with both Des- 

 champsia caespitosa and D. bottnica, but is distinguished by its small size, pyramidal 

 panicles and more rigid panicle branches, and by its spikelets which are intermediate 

 in size between those of Deschampsia caespitosa and D. bottnica. 



7. Deschampsia curtifolia Seribn. U. S. Dept. Agr. Div. Agrost. Circ. 30: 7. 1901. 

 Deschampsia brachyphylla Nash in Rydb. Mem. N. Y. Bot. Card. 1: 37. 1900, not 



Philippi, Anal. Univ. Chile 94: 23. 1896. 



A densely cespitose perennial 40 cm. high or less, with numerous very narrow 

 involute basal leaves, short culm leaves, and exserted, contracted or spreading panicles 

 3 to 7 cm. long; spikelets 3 to 4 mm. long, similar to those of Deschampsia caespitosa. 



Inlands of Bering Sea to the Shumagin Islands and Alaska Peninsula, and south- 

 ward in the mountains to Montana and Wyoming. 



Specimens examined: Cold Bay, Piper 4723, 4730; Shumagin Islands, Kincaid in 

 1899, Trelease & Saunders 2927, 2968, Piper 4732, 4731, 4728; Hall Island, Macoun in 

 1891; Kodiak, Piper 4727. 



Deschampsia brevifolia R. Br. has been credited to Alaska by various authors and 

 its range has been extended, erroneously, we believe, south to the mountains of Mon- 

 tana and Wyoming." It appears that this species was misinterpreted by Trinius *> 



a Rydberg, Mem. N. Y. Hot. Card. 1: 37. 1900. 

 b Gram. Icon. 3: pi. 2nt\A. 1836. 



