CH. vn] Botanical Description of Species 



73 



Aven&fatua, L. (Wild Oat.) (Fig. 60.) Abundant in Britain. 



A tall annual, occurring especially among cereal crops, forming 

 close tufts. Shoot cylindrical, sheaths split, glabrous or occasion- 

 ally with a few hairs. Leaf -blades linear, broad, acuminate, 

 glabrous or slightly hairy. Ligule membranous, relatively short, 

 and blunt. Auricles wanting. 



Fig 56. Inflorescence of 

 Arundo Phragmites. 

 About nat. size. 



Fig. 57. Panicles of Avena flavescens, L. 

 a. Pre-flowering stage, b. In full 

 flower. About f nat. size. 



Flowers in June or July ; culms erect, 3-5 feet high. Panicle 

 large, open, and spreading equally on all sides. Spikelets large, 

 ovate-lanceolate, hanging, each of two to three flowers. Empty 



