190 GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 



Agrostis SETACEA. 



Bristle-leaved Bent-Grass. 



Plate LXXXIII. 



Specific Characters. — Sheaths rough. Ligule long and pointed. 

 Inner palea one- fourth the length of the outer. 



Description. — Root perennial, fibrous, tufted. Stem round, striated, 

 hollow, roughish, from eight to fifteen inches in length, bearing four 

 or five leaves with rough, striated sheaths ; the upper sheath much 

 longer than its leaf. Ligule of upper sheath prominent, acute, about 

 twice as long as broad. Joints usually three, the upper situated about 

 the middle of the stem, and not covered by the second sheath. Leaves 

 narrow, rough from point to base ; those of the root numerous, long^ 

 and setaceous, Iiifiorescence compound panicled, erect, spreading 

 while in flower, otherwise close, the branches rough, slender, and 

 rather short, arising from the rough rachis in threes or fives. Spikelets 

 numerous, small, acute, composed of two glumes and one floret. 

 Glumes nearly of equal lengths, without lateral ribs, the outer the 

 larger, toothed nearly the whole length of the keel. Floret shorter 

 than the glumes, of two very unequal palese, the outer the larger, four- 

 ribbed, jagged at the summit, hairy at the base, furnished with a long^ 

 slender, roughish awn, arising from a little above the base and extend- 

 ing about half its length beyond the summit. Inner palea very small, 

 about one- fourth the length of the outer palea. Styles two, distinct^ 

 Stigmas feathery. Filaments three. Anthers cloven at each end. 

 Scales acute. 



Obs. — Agrostis setacea is distinguished from Agrostis vulgaris in 

 the stem and sheaths being rough to the touch ; ligule prominent, 

 acute ; inner palea about one-fourth the length of the outer palea ; 

 — whereas in Agrostis vulgaris the stem and sheaths are smooth ; 

 ligule short and obtuse ; iniier palea about half the length of the 

 outer. 



Agrostis setacea is distinguished from Agrostis alba in the floret 

 having a long awn arising from a little above the base, and extend- 

 ing half its length beyond the summit of the floret ; inner palea very 



Agrostis setacea, Curt., Eng. Bot., Smith, Knapp, Hooker, LiruL, Bab., With. 



