56 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO [CH. 
more grooved and dark below, and the ridges more distinct and flat. 
It is relatively well rooted and is stoloniferous. 
Arrhenatherum avenaceum, Beauv. (False Oat-grass). 
Loose tufts with short stolons, or bulbous below. Leaves 
few, narrow, thin, dry, rough, with very low flat ribs, 
convolute in bud, and practically glabrous. Sheath smooth. 
Ligule truncate, hairy on its outer surface. Bitter, and 
commonly undervalued by agriculturists, but useful in 
mixed pasture, and yields bulky, coarse hay. 
There are often a few sparse isolated hairs on the low ribs. The 
base enters the sheath with slight and sometimes pinkish ledges. 
Ridges hardly observable. Traces of roughness if rubbed downwards. 
White lines, about 5 each side on holding up to the light. The not 
very long leaves taper slightly below. 
Arrhenatherum is liable to confusion with Holcus, Anthoxanthum, 
Molinia and Avena, but it is typically glabrous, whereas the others 
are hairy. 
From Holcus it is easily distinguished by the sheaths, ligule and 
soft hairs of that genus. 
Anthoxanthum differs in its habit, ears, scent, sheath and ligule. 
Molinia differs in habit, ligule, sheath, and tough stringy roots, 
and the shape of the leaves. 
Avena pratensis differs in its narrow leaves, less prominent 
ridges, and ligule; A. flavescens in its much broader and coarser 
hairy leaves, and the ligule; and A. pubescens in pubescence and 
flat-shoots and ligule. 
++ Leaves very thin, blade tapering below. Keel 
prominent, but no ridges above. Ligule long and 
torn. 
Milium effusum, L. (Spreading Muillet-grass). Tufted 
perennial. Leaves linear-lanceolate, scabrid above. Sheath 
smooth. Bitter tasting. May be slightly hairy. Woods. 
It is much liked by birds, but is of no value in agriculture. 
