214 GRASSES OF BRITAIN. 



PoA FLuiTANS (variety) subspicata. 



Spike-like Floating Meadotv- Grass. 

 Plate XCV. 



This variety is distinguished from Poa fluitans, figured in Plate 

 XLV. in the leaves being narrower and more acute ; the inflores- 

 cence of a spike-like form and the anthers more than double the size. 

 It is a frequent grass in Scotland, growing in moist ground of the 

 richest kind, principally in meadows. It delights in the mar- 

 gins of pools and in slow-running streams, and frequently forms a 

 portion of the best pasturage for cows. 



Care must be taken not to confound this grass with Bucetum lolia- 

 ceum (variety) ehngatum, figured in Plate CXIV. to which it bears 

 a great resemblance, and is fi-equently found in the same situations. 

 It is, however, very easily distinguished by the long ligule of the up- 

 per sheath, (Fig. 6,) and the outer palea with seven ribs minutely 

 toothed, (Fig. 4) ; — while in Bucetum loliaceum (variety) elongatum, 

 the ligule is very short, (Fig. 5,) and the outer palea has but five ribs, 

 smooth, (Fig. 3.) It is also distinguished from Lolium perenne by the 

 same characters, and in having two glumes instead of only one. 



The accompanying figure was drawn from a specimen gathered 

 near Killin, Perthshire. 



Flowers in the second week of July, and ripens its seed about the 

 end of August. 



Explanation of Plate XCV. Poa Jluitans (variety) subspicata, 

 natural size. 



Fig. 1. Spikelet, showing the two ghimes and eleven florets. 



2. Glumes very unequal. 



3. Floret, showing the outer and inner palese. 



4. Outer palea oiiened, showing the seven rough ribs. r 



5. Inner palea minutely fringed at the margins and cloven at the summit, 



6. Upper leaf folded, showing the long acute ligule. 



7. Ovarium, pistils, stamens, and scales. 



3 



