281 



Fig. 577. Festuca ovina Linn. Sp. PI. 73. 1753. Sheep's 

 Fescue.— A slender, densely tufted, erect perennial 2 to 6 dm. 

 hieli, with narrow or filiform, inv(»ltite leaves and contracted 

 (expanding while in bloom) panicles 3 to 6 cm. long. Spikelets 3- 

 to 5-flowered, with unequal empty glumes (a), and usually short- 

 awned, smooth llowcriug glumes 3 to 4 mm. long. - New England 

 to Pennsylvania, and westward to the Pacific; especially abun- 

 dant in many varieties in the Rocky Mountain region. June- 

 September. 



