46 GRASSES OF SCOTLAND. 



Obs. — This grass is a well-marked species, and is readily distinguished 

 from Melinea ccerulea in the leaves of the stem extending beyond the 

 panicle. Panicle thin, few-flowered, colourless ; calyx containing 

 but one floret ; outer palea five-ribbed ; — whereas in M. cosrulea, 

 the leaves do not extend beyond the panicle ; panicle many-flowered, 

 of a purplish or greenish tinge ; calyx containing two or more florets ; 

 outer palea three-ribbed. 



The only locality as yet known for this grass is the Clova moun- 

 tains, at an elevation of 3000 feet above the sea. First discovered by 

 Mr Donald Munro. It flowers in August. 



31. MOLINEA CiERULEA.* 



Purple Melic-Grass. 



Specific Character. — Outer palea three-ribbed. (Plate XX.) 

 Description. — It grows from one to two feet or more high. The 

 root is perennial, of many strong fibres. Stem erect, smooth, round, 

 bulbous at the base, bearing about three leaves, with smooth striated 

 sheaths ; the upper sheath shorter than its leaf, crowned with a very 

 small ligule. Joint smooth, situated very near the base. Leaves 

 long, linear, narrow, acute, taper-pointed, rough on both surfaces on 

 the upper part ; smooth below, besprinkled with hairs on the inner 

 surface. Liflorescence compound panicled. Panicle erect, long, nar- 

 row, and close ; the branches slender, roughish, wavy, arising in tufts, 

 alternately, at certain distances along the angular ribbed slightly 

 wavy rachis. Spikelets small, numerous, mostly of two, sometimes 

 three awnless florets, much longer than the glumes, generally of a 

 purplish tinge ; in shady places of a light green. Calyx of two un- 

 equal acute glumes (Fig. 1), smooth, three-ribbed (sometimes the 

 lateral ribs are wanting). Florets of two paleae, (Fig. 2), the outer 

 palea of lowermost floret acute, three-ribbed, smooth. Inner palea 

 equal in length to the outer palea, furnished with two prominent 

 green marginal ribs not fringed. Second floret elevated on a long, 

 rough footstalk, but in other respects similar to the floret below. 



• Molinea cceriilea, Lindley, Koch. Melica ccertika, Linn. Smith, Hooker, Gre- 

 ville. Aira cceruka, Linn. 



