546 - THE GfcASS FAMlLf. 



A small genus, chiefly south European and west Asiatic, differing 

 from Poa in the inflorescence, and in most species by the presence of 

 an outer bract under the spikelets, which is analogous to those of 

 Cyperacece. 



1. S. cserulea, Ard. (fig. 1257). Blue S. A perennial, 6 inches to 

 nearly a foot high, with a shortly creeping rootstock, and densely 

 tufted, short, and rather stiff radical leaves. Spike (or spike-like 

 panicle) ovoid or oblong, i to J inch long, often assuming a bluish- 

 grey hue. Spikelets not numerous, but closely packed, generally in 

 pairs, one sessile, the other shortly stalked ; the lower ones with a 

 broad, glume-like bract at their base. Glumes about 2 lines long, the 

 flowering ones usually 2 in each spikelet, shortly protruding beyond 

 the outer ones, their central tooth forming a short point. 



In mountain pastures, especially in limestone districts, in Europe, 

 and from the mountains of Spain and Italy to Scandinavia. In Britain, 

 confined to Scotland, the north of England, and the north and west of 

 Ireland, Fl. spring and early summer. 



XLII. ABUNDO. REED. 



Very tall, erect, perennial Grasses, with long, broad leaves, and a 

 large, crowded panicle. Spikelets several-flowered, with long, silky 

 hairs on the axis, enveloping the flowers. 



The species, though not numerous, are very conspicuous in all tem- 

 perate and warm climates, and form a natural genus if considered as 

 including, as well as our northern species (often separated under the 

 name of Phragmites), the South American Pampas Grass, the latter 

 generically distinguished under the name of Gynerium, on account of 

 its flowers being usually (but, it is said, not always) dioecious. The 

 genus differs from Psamma and Calamagrostis chiefly in having more 

 than one flower in the spikelet. 



1. A. Phragmites (fig. 1258). Common R. A stout perennial, 

 usually 5 or 6 feet high, but sometimes twice as much, with a long, 

 creeping rootstock, and numerous long leaves, often an inch broad, all 

 the way up the stem. Panicle from a few inches to a foot long, with 

 Numerous branches, more or less drooping, of a purplish- brown colour. 

 Spikelets very numerous, narrow, above 6 lines long. Outermost 

 lume lanceolate, concave, about 14 lines long, and empty; the second 

 narrower, and twice that length ; the third still longer, and also empty, 

 or with 1 or 2 stamens only ; and all 3 without hairs outside. Above 

 are 2 or 3 flowering glumes about the same length, but narrower, 

 ending in an almost awn-like point, and surrounded by silky hairs, 

 which lengthen much as the seed ripens, giving the panicle a silvery 

 ppearance. Phragmites communis, Trin. 



In wet ditches, marshes, and shallow waters, almost all over the 

 world, from the tropics to the Arctic zone. Common in Britain. FL 

 end of summer, and autumn. 



