Variation and Correlation in Timothy. 



427 



Fig. 117. Variation in apex of head. 



The normal color of the 

 stem is green, though oc- 

 casionally plants are found 

 with reddish or bluish pur- 

 ple stems. These colors 

 usually occur on the upper 

 part of the stem or in the 

 vicinity of the nodes and 

 are more evident as the 

 plant approaches maturity. 



The color of the nodes 

 usually varies from light to 

 dark brown, though plants 

 with green or greenish 

 brown nodes occasionally occur. 



Variation in head characters. — The normal shape of the head is nearly 

 cylindrical, with a somewhat rounded or abruptly pointed apex. Occa- 

 sionally plants are found with a long tapering apex or a tapering base, 

 or both modifications may be present at the same time, giving rise to a 

 head more or less fusiform in shape. 



In length, the heads may vary from one to 1 2 inches, 



and in diameter 



from .2 to .4 inches. 

 The so-called 



head or spike of 



timothy is, strictly 



speaking, a con- 



FlG. 118. Variation in thickness of 

 head. 



Fig. 119. Variation in length of head. 



