FLOWERING PLANTS OF THE SEA-SIDE 395 



grow chiefly or exclusively in the immediate neighbourhood of the 

 sea. 



The Sea Hard Grass (Lepturus filiformis) is a perennial species, 

 usually about six inches in height, very common on some sandy 

 coasts, and found in flower during the hottest months of the 

 summer. The flowers are arranged in simple spikes, on slender 

 erect stems ; and the glumes, which are united at their bases, 

 enclose a single bloom. 



In similar situations we may find the Sea Lyme Grass (Elymua 

 arenarius), a tall species, often reaching a height of four feet, with 

 glaucous rigid leaves. The flowers are arranged in a simple spike, 

 but the spikelets are clustered two or three together. This species 

 flowers in August. 



Of the well-known Barley Grasses there is one species (Hordeum 

 maritimum) that has its habitat along the coast. Like the others 

 of its genus, the spikelets are arranged in threes, each bearing a 

 single flower, and the pales have long slender processes (aivns) 

 which constitute the so-called beard. It also resembles the common 

 Meadow Barley Grass in having the middle flower of ench three 

 perfect, while the two laterals are abortive, 

 but may be distinguished by its rough and 

 bristly glumes, and the semi-oval form of the 

 pales of the lateral flowers. It is a some- 

 what stunted species, sometimes only five or 

 six inches in height, and may be found in 

 flower about Midsummer. 



The Brome Grasses have also a represen- 

 tative of a sea-loving nature, which is to be 

 found in fields near the cliffs. It is the 

 Field Brome Grass (Bromus arvensis), an 

 annual grass that grows to a height of two 

 or three feet. Brome grasses generally are 

 known by their loose panicles of flowers, 

 lanceolate and compressed spikelets, and 

 awned florets enclosed in unequal glumes ; 

 and B. arvensis may be distinguished by its 



hairy leaves and stem-sheath, and the drooping panicle with the 

 lower peduncle branched. 



Among the Meadow Grasses we have three or four coast specie?* 

 In these the florets are in panicles and are not awned. The outer 

 glumes are keeled and traversed by several veins ; and the lower 



FIG. 278. THE SEA 

 LYME GRASS 



