THE GRASS TRIBE 33J 



5. Mibora (Sand-Grass) 



I. M. verna (Early Sand-Grass). A tufted plant, seldom 3 

 inches high ; leaves short and narrow ; spikeleis small, purplish, 

 almost sessile in a simple slender spike about inch long ; flowering 

 glume hairy outside, jagged at the top, awnless. Sandy pastures 

 in Anglesea and the Channel Islands ; rare. Fl. April. Annual. 



6. Piialaris (Reed-Grass) 



1. P. canariensis (Canary-Grass). Erect, leafy, 2-3 feet high ; 

 spikeleis in a dense ovoid spike i-i| inches long, glabrous, varie- 

 gated with green and white ; outer glumes \-\ inch long, acute, 

 not awned, winged on the back. Occasionally as a weed ; not 

 native. From this is obtained the well-known canary-seed. Fl. 

 July. Annual. 



2. P. minor (Smaller Canary-Grass). Smaller than the last, with 

 a longer and narrower spike ; glumes narrower, toothed on the 

 keel. Channel Islands ; rare ; doubtfully native. Fl. July. 

 Annual. 



3. P. paradoxa is like P. minor, but the spikelct contains besides 

 the perfect flower several rudimentary ones. A casual near Swan- 

 age. Fl. July. Annual. 



4. P. arundinacea (Reed-Grass). A large, densely tufted plant 

 with broad, long leaves ; spikeleis in a rather compact panicle 6-8 

 inches long ; outer glumes about \ inch long, pointed, not awned, 

 keeled but not winged, pale green or whitish with green nerves. A 

 variety with variegated leav< - is commonly grown in gardens under 

 the name of Striped Grass or Ribbon-Grass. River banks and 

 marshes ; common. Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



7. Anthoxanthum [Vernal Grass) 



1. A. odor alum (Sweet-scented Vernal Grass). Slender, 1-2 feet 

 high ; spike-like panicle 1-2 inches long ; flowering glumes quite 

 included in the outer glumes or rarely with the longer awn slightly 

 protruding. This is the grass that imparts the characteristic odour 

 to hay. Pastures; common. Fl. May, June. Perennial. (PI. xciii.) 



2. A. Piielii is smaller, less fragrant, the spikeleis glabrous and 

 narrower with longer awns. A weed in pastures ; rare ; not native 



Fl. July. Annual. 



8. HiEROCHLOE (Holy Grass) 



1. H. odorata (Northern Holy Grass). Also known as H. borealis. 

 A slender, fragrant grass, f-ii feet high ; rootstock creeping ; leaves 

 usuallv short and flat ; panicle about 2 inches long ; spikelets 

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