128 



FLOWERS OF THE HEATHS AND MOORS 



philous, pollinated by the wind. The flowers open between 12 and 

 i a.m. The stigma is mature first. The spikelets open at the top for 

 the stigma and the stamens to protrude. 



The fruit, slightly attached to the panicle and adhering to the 

 palea, is readily blown away by the wind. 



This grass is a peat-loving plant growing in a humus soil. 



MAT-GRASS (Xardus stricta, L.) 



Nardus, Theophrastus, is a Greek name nardos, for sweet-smelling 

 ointment, and it is unknown why it is applied to this grass. Mat- 

 grass is known by the names of Black, White, or Wire Bent, Ling, 

 Mat-reed, Nard. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



344. Nardns stricta, L. Ceespitose, stem erect, rigid, leaves the 

 same, slender, spike unilateral, close, awn short, palea purple. 



