176 GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 



Phleum pratense (variety) longiaristatuM. 



Long-aioned Timothy- Grass. 



Plate LXXVII. 



This variety is distinguished by the awns of the glumes being near- 

 ly as long as the glumes themselves, and the root bulbous ; in other 

 respects it is similar to Phleum pratense^ described in page 18. Fre- 

 quently the inflorescence is not more than half an inch in length, as 

 in Fig. 1, when it greatly resembles Phleum alpinum, (Plate VI.), so 

 much so that the two plants are then with difficulty distinguished by 

 any essential character. 



This grass is occasionally met with in the neighbourhood of Edin- 

 burgh, growing in damp shady places. 



It flowers early in August, and ripens its seed in about the end of 

 September. 



The accompanying figure was taken from a specimen gathered in 

 Roslin Wood. 



Explanation of Plate LXXVII. Phleum pratense (variety) longi- 

 aristatum, natural size. 



Fig. 1. Short>headed variety, natural size. 



2. Rachis and spikelets natural size. 



3. Spikelet showing the two glumes and floret. 



4. Glumes not expanded. 



5. Floret showing the two palese. 



6. Ligule of upper sheath. 



7. Ovarium, pistils, and stamens. 



