A. FLAVESCENS, L., GOLDEN OAT-GRASS. 191 



the joint, membranous, slightly unequal. Floral glumes con- 

 vex on the back, acute, 5-9-nerved, often briefly 2-fid at the apex, 

 the lower ones including a perfect flower and bearing on the back 

 a twisted awn, the upper ones awnless, including a staminate or 

 neutral flower. Palea narrow, 2-toothed or 2-fid. Lodicules 

 2-fid. Stamens, 3. Styles short, distinct, stigmas hairy. Cary- 

 opsis oblong or long-fusiform, pubescent or rarely smooth, some- 

 times deeply grooved, included by the floral glume and palea, 

 free or more or less adhering to the palea. Annuals or perennials. 



Species about 40. Found in many temperate regions. 



A. flavescens, L. Yellow Oat, or Golden Oat-Grass. An 

 erect, smooth, glabrous perennial, culm 12 ft. hi., stoloniferous. 

 Leaves flat, sheaths hairy ; ligule truncate, ciliate. Panicle open, 

 branches in 4- whorls. Spikelets compressed in., 3-4 fld., shin- 

 ing, yellowish. Empty glumes ovate, acuminate. Floral glumes 

 keeled ; awns divergent. 



According to Baron Lawes, it is tufted, of rather weakly habit, 

 the culms few and slender, producing flowers in June and July. 

 It is found in cool, dry pastures and light soils. It is hardy and 

 seeds early, is never sown alone, but is recommended as a minor 

 ingredient with others for permanent pasture. 



The seed is very often adulterated with seeds of Aira flexuosa, 

 which is not worth raising. - 



I have seldom seen yellow oat grass in the pastures of the 

 United States, and on trying it for several years in Michigan, I 

 am compelled to say that it seems to promise little for this 

 country. 



HOLCUS, L. 



Spikelets 2-fld., usually in collected dense oblong or interrupted 

 panicles, rachilla jointed above the empty glumes, extending 

 beyond the flowei's as a small stipe; lower flower perfect, the 



FIG. 85. Avena flavexcenx (Yellow Oat Grass). <, A short ilant. (Sutton) ; a, spike- 

 let. -tScribner). 



