the true grasses (Gramineae) from the sedges (Cyperaceae) and the rushes (Juncaceae). Study of 

 the points presented in the following table will show how to separate them quickly. 



Grasses Sedges 



Rushes 



CHARACTERS USED IN IDENTIFICATION 2 



The characters found to be most reliable are discussed below with drawings to illustrate the 

 principal variations used in the key. The descriptions and points of separation are based on the 

 characters as found on the vegetative or lower leaves of the plant. Leaves high on the stem fre- 

 quently have longer ligules and blades that are wider or less hairy. 



1 . Bud-shoot 



The arrangement of leaves in the growing point or bud-shoot may be folded or rolled as shown 

 below. The folded arrangement is usually found in flattened shoots and the rolled arrangement in 

 round or cylindrical shoots. However, in some grasses, such as yellow foxtail and barnyard grass, 

 the leaves are rolled in flattened shoots and in others, such as poverty oatgrass, folded leaves are in 

 round shoots. 



Folded 



Rolled 



2 This section mostly follows the general form first used by Nowosad, Swales and Dore. (8) 



