148 



CLASSIFICATION OF 



[CH. 



Cynosurus cristatns, L. (Fig. 60). 



Palea canary yellow to light-brown, lanceolate with 

 rounded back and the mid-rib promi- 

 nent as a slight keel and margins in- 

 folded, about 4 mm. long (varies from 

 3 — 4-5 X 0*5 to 1 mm. broad), scabrid 

 above, dotted below and acute to 

 acuminate with a scabrid awn-point, 

 often curved. Caryopsis 2 — 2*3 mm., 

 somewhat flattened. Rachilla short 

 and smooth, dilated above. 



A valuable and easily recognised grass. 

 Molinia, Holcus and similar impiu'ities are 

 easily detected : some Fescues are much 

 more like it ; e.g. F. tenuifoUa (see p. 46) in 

 which the apex tapers suddenly to a point. 

 Dactylis should also be compared. 



Fig. 60. Cynosurus 

 cristatus. a, " seed " 

 and caryopsis, nat. 

 Bize; & and c," seed" 

 X about 8. Note the 

 scabrid and slightly 

 curved awn-point. 

 Nobbe. Cf. Fig. 64. 



ft Palese compressed or distinctly keeled. 



Molinia coerulea. 

 Koeleria cristata. 



Unimportant, except as impurities among other grass " seeds." 

 Molinia is said to occiu" as such in samples of Cynosurus, Dactylis, 

 Poa trivialis, Fescues, &c., but it should give little difficulty except 

 in comparison with Glyceria (see p. 146). 



Molinia ccerulea (Moench.) (Fig. 61). 



" vSeed " 3 — 4 mm. or more, leather coloured or with a 

 bluish tinge. Paleae divaricating, the lower keeled and 

 compressed, and tapering to a sharp point. Rachilla long, 

 oblique and prominent. Smooth tapering, palea 5 '5, fruit 

 2 mm. long. 



