300 



Fig. 294. NARDUS STRICTA L. Sp. PI. 53. 1753. WIRE BENT.-A glabrous, 

 densely csespitose perennial, with stout, creeping rootstocks, setaceous leaves, 

 and erect, filiform, rigid culms, 10-20 cm. (4'-8') high. Sheaths mostly basal; 

 ligule 1 mm. d") long, rounded; leaves rigid, scabrous, the basal ones numer- 

 ous, 5-12 cm. (2'-5') long. Spikelets l-flowered, 6-8 mm. (3"-4") long, arranged 

 ahernatelvin two rows on one side of the erect rachis (o); first glume very 

 short, adnate to the rachis. sometimes nearly obsolete; flowering glumes (b,c} 

 6-8 mm. (3"-4") long, scabrous, long-acuminate or short-awned.— Introduced at 

 Amherst, Mass.; rocky river banks, Newfoundland. (Europe, Greenland, and 

 Azores.) August. 



