36 



PASTURE PLANTS AND PASTURES OF N.Z. 



?\ 



round the conspicuous ligule. The flower heads 



are formed so early in spring that this is usually 



the first grass to be noticed in flower, its only rival 



in this respect being 



Meadow Foxtail. The 



whole plant when cut 



smells strongly of cou- 



marin, the essential oil 



to which the smell of 



new mown hay is due. 



The hay like smell can 



usually be observed by 



chewing the grass, and 



this often forms a 



means of identification. 

 This worthless 



weed is very widely 



distributed in the 



agricultural areas and 



those near by. Owing 



to its unpalatability, 



its early seeding, and 

 its twisted awns it is easily spread 

 by sheep, and seems almost in- 

 eradicable without ploughing. It 

 is said that in England Sweet 

 Vernal is sometimes mixed with 

 hay to improve the aroma, but 

 the grass has no utility in New 

 Zealand. 



(3) Goose Grass (Bromus kor- 

 daceus). The name "Goose Grass" 

 appears to be purely Colonial. In England the common 

 name is Soft Brome, while the term "Goose Grass" is applied 



Fig. 19. 

 Sweet Vernal 

 A : Flower 



head. 



B : Base of 

 blade. 



Fig. 20. 



Soft Brome or Goose Grass, 

 (after Percival). 



