156 CLASSIFICATION OF [cee 
Alopecurus pratensis, L. (Fig. 68). 
Inner palea absent. Outer palea 5 mm., caryopsis 
3mm. long, often with remains of the stigma. 
The greyish-brown spikelet of Alopecurus easily falls 
as a whole, included in the glumes; the palea is loose and 
delicate. 
Glumes connate below, silky-hairy on keel and ribs all 
the way up. The palea has a bent dorsal awn, about 5 mm. 
long. 
Alopecurus geniculatus, L. 
Palea 2 mm., fruit 1°3 mm. long. 
The glumes hairy on ribs and keel as in A. pratensis : 
glumes more obtuse. 
Alopecurus agrestis, L. 
Palea 6 mm., fruit 3 mm. long. 
Glumes only ciliate, on ribs and keel, except at the 
base where the hairs are longer. 
Keel slightly winged. 
Best distinguished from A. pratensis by the glumes, which are 
smoother, broader above the middle, harder and with a few basal 
hairs. 
The species A. fulvus, A. bulbosus, and A. alpinus are rare. 
(ii) “Seed” consisting of the palee investing the 
caryopsis, freed from the glumes. 
*  Palea at least 14 or 15mm. long: caryopsis 
5—T mm. [Oat type. | 
Avena fatua. 
A. pratensis. 
Avena fatua, L. 
Palea parchment-like, lanceolate-terete, acuminate and 
bifid at the apex, rounded on the back and with yellow 
