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STIPA PENNATA. 
Linnavus. Hooxrer anp Arnott. Suirn. Parnetn. Hupson. 
Wiruering. Hutt. Wittpenow. Kwyarp. Sinciarr. SCHRADER. 
Kocu. Linpury. Basineron. 
PLATE XIII. 
Spartum austriacum, GERARDE. 
Gramen sparteum pennatum, Bavuin. DILLenivs. 
The Common Feather-Grass. 
Stipa—Tow or flax, (from the Greek.) Pennata. Penna—A feather. 
Strea. Linneus.—Panicle upright and contracted. Glumes membrana- 
ceous, two in number, longer than the floret. Floret stipulate. Glumellas 
cartilaginous; exterior glumella involute, ending in a twisted awn of great 
length, which is jointed at the base. There is only a solitary representative 
of this genus in Great Britain, and that one very rare. The name is derived 
from the Greek, signifying a flaxen appearance, in reference to the present 
species—Stipa pennata. 
An exceedingly rare British Grass, of but little agricultural 
value. It was first discovered on rocks in Long Sleadale, 
Westmorland, by Dr. Richardson and Mr. Lawson, in the time 
of Dillenius, and from that time there seems to be no re-discovery 
of it. Lately, however, Mr. Joseph Sidebotham has forwarded 
me specimens gathered in corn-fields near Hebden Bridge, 
Yorkshire, where he informs me it is found growing wild, 
although rare. 
From the extreme beauty of this species it is extensively 
cultivated in our gardens, and its flowers gathered to ornament 
our drawing-rooms during winter. 
Stipa pennata grows in dry sandy situations. It is found in 
many parts of Germany. 
