58 



Botanical Section 



[PT i 



12 to 18 -inches high ; panicle erect and spreading ; spikelets erect, 

 shining, containing two flowers. Generally distributed over Britain 

 on heaths and upland pastures. 



"Seeds" 4-5 mm. long, of pale to mid-brown colour when 

 ripe ; outer palea ragged or bifid at its apex, and bearing a twisted 



Fig. 39. Panicle of Aira ccespitosa, about J nat. size. 



and "kneed" basal (or almost basal) awn distinctly longer than 

 itself. A conspicuous tuft of white silky hairs surrounds the 

 base of the "seed." Rachilla relatively short, also bearing 

 white hairs. (Fig. 41.) 



Aira canescens, L. (Grey Hair-grass.) 



Needle-like leaves; awn basal, thickened at end, and bearing 



