ad 
111] ; VEGETATIVE CHARACTERS 51 
Arundo Phragmites, L. (Common Reed). A large 
aquatic, reed-like creeping grass, with broad leaves (} to 
1 in.), flat, rather rigid, acuminate, glaucous below, hispid 
at edges. Sheath smooth, striate, bearded at mouth. 
Ligule a mere fringe of hair. (Cf. Digraphis, p. 54.) 
Cynosurus is not very liable to confusion; but it has resem- 
blances to Lolium (see p. 49) and to species of Agrostis. The 
leaves of Cynosurus are firmer, thicker, less dry, and with a shining 
undersurface, and the sheath is only split above, and yellow below; 
whereas Agrostis has relatively thin and dry leaves, rough surfaces 
and margin, distinct ridges, and converging margins as the blade 
nears the sheath. 
Festuca elatior is easily confused with the glabrous Bromes. 
For B. giganteus see p. 43. 
Bromus erectus is distinguished by the entire sheath, usually 
hairy, the want of auricles, and the conduplicate—not convolute— 
leaves. 
Agrostis has thinner, duller, and drier leaves, and no red sheath. 
Alopecurus pratensis has more depressed, flatter and broader 
ridges than Festuca, and a longer ligule, and lacks the pointed 
ears. 
*&  Ligule whitish, membranous, long, or at least well 
developed. Sheaths not coloured or brown. Leaves 
thin and rough, at least at the base. Ridges not 
very prominent, but numerous and distinct. 
Agrostis stolonifera, L. (Fiorin). Stolons, with numer- 
ous short offsets bursting through the leaf-sheaths. Blade 
flat, rough, tapering, with rounded ridges, and convolute in 
bud: there are no auricles, but the blade may narrow, and 
form ledges, as it runs into the sheath. Sheaths nearly 
smooth. Ligule long and pointed, and often toothed at the 
margins. The leaves vary in breadth. 
This and A. vulgaris, With. with shorter ligules, and, 
possibly, A. canina, L. with finer leaves, are varieties of 
42 
