60 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO (CH. 
and dry but fairly stiff, and hairy above, especially at the 
base. Ligule absent, or a tuft of hairs. Sheaths smooth. 
Moors. Useless as forage, but used locally for brooms. 
Molinia is not easily confounded with any others but Anthozan- 
thum (see p. 57), Arrhenatherum (see p. 56) or Brachypodium. 
Brachypodium sylvaticum is distinguished by habitat, its broad 
leaves, membranous ligule, fibrous roots, &c. 
Keleria cristata, Pers. (Crested Keeleria). Very short, 
perennial in dry pastures, pubescent, pale green. Leaves 
nalrow, tapering below, soon involute, ciliated. Ridges 
prominent, alternately high and low. Ligule obsolete, 
or a mere jagged yellowish line. Useless. 
Triodia decumbens, Beauv. (Decumbent Heath-grass). 
Low perennial. Leaves narrow, obtuse, slightly ridged, 
tough, at length involute, with long, soft hairs, especially 
below and on the edges. Sheath grooved, hairy, especially 
at the throat. Ligule a tuft of hairs. Section of shoot 
flat ; leaves conduplicate. Of no known use as fodder. 
The rare grasses Panicum glabrum, Gaud., P. viride, L. and 
P. Crus-galli, L. introduced in the S.E. counties also come here. 
t+ Ligule membranous. 
Avena flavescens, L. (Yellow Oat-grass). Loose tufted 
perennial, pale green, with rounded shoots bursting the 
sheaths. Leaves flat, slender, soft, fine-ribbed and hairy, 
especially on the low ridges above. Sheath hairy, especially 
below, not keeled. Ligule short, obtuse, often truncate, 
ciliate. A valuable pasture and meadow-grass, also in 
water-meadows. Its roots are abundant, and it will grow 
well in calcareous soils (see Fig. 10). 
