152 A. PRATENSIS, L., MEADOW FOXTAIL. 



and sometimes winged ; the floral glume obtuse, hyaline, 3-5 nerved, 

 with a short awn on the back, or mucronate, the margins joined 

 at the base into a tube inclosing the flower ; the palea sometimes 

 present, narrow, hyaline, keeled, acute, partly included by the 

 floral glume. Stamens 3. Styles distinct or rarely joined at the 

 base or the middle, stigmas short, hairy. Annual or perennial 

 grasses, erect or decumbent at the base ; leaves either flat or 

 convolute, upper sheaths often inflated. Spikelets or panicles- 

 spike-like, terminal. 



About 20 species in temperate and cold countries. 



A. pratensis, L. Meadow Foxtail. A soft erect perennial, 

 1-3 ft. hi. Leaves flat, upper sheath inflated, longer than its 

 blade; ligule oblong truncate. Spikelets 3-8 in., ^ in. or more 

 in diameter, dense, obtuse, soft, pale green. Spikelets |--in. 

 long. Empty glumes, membranous ciliate on the keel only, ovate 

 lanceolate, acute, connate at the base. Floral glumes ciliate, 

 as long as the empty glumes, awn. near the base and projecting 

 half its length. 



Found in Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, introduced into 

 America. 



In Great Britain and other parts of Europe with a like climate, 

 this is one of the best known and highly esteemed grasses which 

 is cultivated for permanent meadow and pasture. 



It bears considerable resemblance to Timothy, though the 

 culm and leaves are shorter, the spikes shorter, broader, and 

 softer ; the whole plant less firm and rough, and it starts much 

 earlier in spring, flowering three or four weeks before this well 

 known grass. 



Meadow foxtail is not well adapted for alternate husbandry, as 

 it requires three or four years to become well established, but on 

 deep, rich, moist, or irrigated soils, in a cool climate not subject 

 to droughts or very hot weather, it is a fine grass and peculiarly 

 well adapted for permanent pasture. It makes a quick growth 



