378 ENDOGENOUS PLANTS 



Obs. This has been introduced, and occasionally cultivated, under 

 the absurd misnomer of " Grass of the Andes;" but it is not likely 

 to become a favorite, with our farmers. It is partially naturalized, 

 in some neighborhoods. 



499. HOI/CUS, L. 



[An ancient Greek name, of obscure meaning.] 



Spikelets 2- to 3-flowered, the florets pedicellate, so as to appear 

 side by side, shorter than the membranaceous glumes. Lowest floret 

 neutral, or obsolete ; middle one perfect, chartaceous, and awnless ; 

 upper one staminate only, awned near the tip. Grain free, smooth. 



1.77. landtus, L. Softly hoary-pubescent; panicle oblong, rather 



contracted ; awn of the staminate floret recurved, included in the 



glume. 



WOOLLY HOLCUS. Feather-grass. White Timothy. 



Perennial. Culms \% to 2 feet high. Leaves 3 to 6 inches long; liguLe -white, 

 truncate, dentate. Panicle 2 to 4 inches long, somewhat dense, whitish, tinged 

 with purple ; glumes roughish-pubescent ; florets smooth and shining. 

 Hob. Moist meadows. Nat. of Europe. Fl. June. Fr. July. 



Obs. Extensively naturalized ; but not esteemed by our Farmers. 

 2. Terminal floret perfect, and awnless, sometimes diandrous. 



5OO. AtfTHOXAlVTIIUM, L. <K 



[Or. Anfhos, flower, and anthon, of flowers ; flower of flowers', fide A. Gray.'] 

 Spikelets in a condensed, oblong, spike-form panicle, each spikelet 

 somewhat 3-flowered, but the lower two (or apparently lateral) florets 

 neutral, consisting merely of a narrow palea, which is hairy, and 

 awned on the back ; the terminal (or central) floret diandrous, with 

 2 short, smooth, shining paleae. Glumes very unequal, thin, acute, 

 keeled. Grain smooth, closely embraced by the paleae. 



1. A. odordtum, L. Spikelets somewhat fascicled on short peduncles ; 



paleae of the neutral florets ciliate. 



FBAGRANT ANTHOXANTHUM. Sweet-scented Vernal-grass. 



Perennial. Cidms 9 to 18 inches high, slender. Leaves 2 to 6 inches long, 

 pubescent; sTieaths nerved; ligule elongated. Panicle a sort of loose spike, 1 tO s 

 2 or 3 inches in length, becoming yellowish when mature. 

 Sab. Moist grounds. Nat. of Europe. Fl. May. Fr. July. fc .^ - 



Obs. This has been much noticed, in Europe, as a fragrant 

 meadow-grass ; but it seems to affect a thin, moist soil, and is by 

 no means regarded, here, as a grass of superior value. When cut, 

 and partly dry, it emits an agreeable odor often remarkable in 

 new-mown hay. The culms have been used in the manufacture of 

 imitation Leghorn hats. This is the grass so fancifully referred to, 

 by Dr. DARWIN, in the following lines of the Botanic Garden. 



" Two gentle shepherds, and their sister-wives, 

 With thee, ANTHOXA ! lead ambrosial lives ; 

 Where the wide heath in purple pride extends, 

 And scatter'd furze its golden lustre blends, 

 Clos'd in a green recess, unenvi'd lot ! 

 The blue smoke rises from their turf-built cot ; 

 Bosom'd in fragrance blush their infant train, 

 Eye the warm sun, or drink the silver rain." 



