GRASS FAMILY 



587 



2.* L. linicola, occurring also in cultivated fields, is an annual, 

 with no leafy runners, with a slender spike and spikelets 7 — 11- 

 flowered. — Fl. June, July. 



3. L. tenmUntum (Darnel). — Closely allied to L. perenne, but 

 without runners, and with spikelets usually about 6-flowered, not 

 longer than the outer glume; lowering glume usually awned. — 

 Cornfields ; fortunately not common in Britain, as its fruit is so 

 poisonous that when ground with flour it is said to cause serious 

 headache and giddiness. — Fl. June — August. Annual. 



l6lium per^nn6 (Rye-grass). 



45. Triticum (Wheat). — Perennial grasses with their spikelets 

 solitary, sessile in the notches of a simple rachis, forming a spike, 

 compressed, with their broad sides towards the rachis, 3- or more- 

 flowered. (Name Classical Latin, from tritus, rubbed.) 



I. T. caninum (Bearded Couch). — Root fibrous; stem erect, 

 I — 3 feet high, slender ; spike 2 — 10 in. long, very slender, often 

 flexuous and nodding ; spikelets 2 — 5-flowered, bright green ; empty 

 glumes 3 — 5-ribbed, usually 3, shortly awned; flowering glume 

 longer, prominently 5-ribbed, with a rather long terminal awn. 

 —Woods and waste places ; frequent.— Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



