VIl] FLOKAL CliARACTEKS 113 



©0 Spikelets sm(dl and numerous, more or 

 less elongated and pointed, not dangling: 

 glumes and pnlece not inflated. 



Poa and Festuca (see X3. 116) are difficult genera for the beginner; 

 several of the species vary considerably in detail. Generally speak- 

 ing the spikelets of Festuca are hard, harsh and sharply pointed, or 

 with short or evident awns ; in Poa they are softer, and with 

 blunter points, and never awned. The most obviously awned 

 species oi Festuca have more or less setaceous leaves and contracted 

 inflorescences (see p. Ill), Some of the mountain species of Poa 

 are extremely variable in small characters. 



s Reed-like aquatic^ with obtuse glumes rounded 

 dorsally ; the large richly branched panicle 

 bearing numerous 5 — 10 jlowered spikelets. 

 Sheath entire or nearly so. No web to the 

 palece. 



Glyceria aquatica, Sm. 



For other reed-grasses, see note, p. 103. Glyceria Jluitans has a 

 more contracted panicle and usually more flowers in the spikelet &c. 

 (see p. 111). 



= = Meadow and pasture grasses <S:c. 



small. Glumes more or less keeled and 

 acute. Sheaths split. 



Poa. 



I Spikelets very small and contcdning 2 — 3 

 jlowers only. Stem slender, terete and 

 rough; ligule long and acute, palea ivith 

 prominent latercd nerves. 



P. trivialis, L. 



The flowers arc fewer than in any other Poa, and may be only two. 

 P. neraoralis, with 3 — 5 flowers, may also occasionally be found with 

 two only : it differs from others in its more acute glumes, smooth 

 stem and sliort ligule. 



P. pratensis diflers in its creeping stolons, short ligule and more 

 numerous 4—5 flowers, and in the indistinct nerves of the palea. 



W. 8 



