VIl] FLORAL CHARACTERS 101 



Species of Lagurus^ Polypogon, Fhalaris (not truly awned), 

 Panicum (with bristles between the spikelets), and Gastridium are 

 other British grasses approaching this type of inflorescence : they 

 are all rare or very local. 



Seslena has an ovoid spike, but the spikelets are two-flowered 

 and not truly awned. 



Kceleria may present resemblances, but the spikelets are very 

 difi'erent in detail (see p. 109). 



(i) Aiuns inserted into the bach of the single 



palea, and hair-like. Glumes connate beloiu, 



keeled. Only one palea. 



Alopecurus. 



* Annual corn-weed, with a long and slender 

 spike, pointed above. Glumes almost glabrous, 

 and connate to the middle. 



A. agrestis, L. 



** Perennials, with shorter and stouter spikes, 

 rounded above. Olumes connate at the base 

 only, and obviously hairy on the keel. 



t Procumbent and kneed at the nodes below. 

 Spike 1 — 2 inches long. In marshy places. 



A. geniculatus, L. 



tt A meadow-grass, with erect stems, and spikes 

 2 — 3 inches or more and stouter. 



A. pratensis, L. 



The rare A. alpimis, Sm. with short ovoid spikes, about one inch 

 long, only occurs in the Highlands. 



(ii) Awns, when present, merely the stiff, pointed 

 termination of the keel. Glumes free below. 

 Palece two. 



