THE GRASS TRIBE 343 



39. Festuca (Fescue) 



* Basal leaves very narrow ; ligule with auricles 



f Awn longer than the flowering glume 



1. F. uniglumis (Single-glumed Fescue). Tufted, rarely above 

 6 inches high ; leaves convolute, with loose sheaths ; panicle 

 i-sided, spike-like, about 2 inches long ; spikelels much crowded 

 on short, erect stalks thickened at the top ; lowest glume reduced 

 to a minute scale ; second glume J- inch long, with an awn-like 

 point ; flowering glumes 3 or 4, rather shorter. Sandy seashores ; 

 rare. Fl. June. Annual. 



2. F. Myuros (Rat's-tail-Fescue). Similar to the last in habit 

 and leaves ; panicle I -sided, sometimes reduced to a simple spike, 

 2-6 inches long ; spikelels smaller than in F. uniglumis ; lowest 

 glume iV-J incli long ; second glume \-\ inch long. Walls and 

 sandy places ; rather uncommon. Fl. June, July. Annual. 



3. F. sciuroides (Squirrel's-tail-Fescue or Barren Fescue). 

 Probably only a variety of F. Myuros with a longer, more slender 

 panicle, smaller flowering glumes with shorter awns, and the lowest 

 glume not r l a inch long. Walls and sandy places ; rather un- 

 common. Fl. June, July. Annual. 



4. F. ambigua (Doubtful Fescue). Dwarfer than F. Myuros, 

 the second glume is 3-6 times as long as the lowest, and each flower 

 has only 1 stamen. Sandy places in the Isle of Wight, Kent, Dorset, 

 and Suffolk ; very rare. Fl. May, June. Annual. 



ff Awn shorter than the flowering glume 



5. F. ovina (Sheep's Fescue). Densely tufted, 6 inches to nearly 

 2 feet high ; leaves chiefly basal, almost cylindrical ; panicle rather 

 compact, slightly i-sided, U-4 inches long; spikelels usually \-\ 

 inch long ; glumes very faintly nerved, almost always with a fine 

 point or awn about A mcn l n g- A vcr >' variable grass. Several 

 varieties have received names, one of them, duriuscula, is some 

 times regarded as a distinct species. It is taller, with cylindrical 

 basal leaves and 1 or 2 stem-leaves which are usually flattened. 

 Dry, open places ; abundant. Fl. June. Perennial. (PI. xciv.) 



6. F. rubra (Creeping Fescue). Also a very variable species. 

 It may be distinguished from F. ovina by the more or less creeping 

 rootsiock ; all the leaves are subulate. Usually dry, sandy places ; 

 common. Fl. June. Perennial. 



7. F. heterophyua (Various-leaved Fescue). Close to F. rubra, 

 but the rootstock is not creeping ; the stems are taller ; basal leaves 

 subulate ; stem-leaves flat. Shady places : rare ; probably not 

 native Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



