Meadow Fescue. 



In this case, the leaves have all the characters of XL 5, 6. 

 Italian. 



There are, however, two distinctive features : 



1. The veins are conspicuous by transmitted 



light. 



2. The basal margin is rough. 



The roughness is due to the presence of minute, 

 tooth-like marginal processes. Though the teeth are 

 often too small to be directly observed by the naked 

 eye, their presence may be readily proved by drawing 

 the margin of the leaf backwards and forwards along 

 the tip of the tongue. The rough quality of leaf 

 blades ought, in all cases, to be tested in this manner. 



In tall fescue, marginal teeth are usually very con- 

 spicuous ; indeed, extra roughness of blade is the 

 distinctive feature of this variety of meadow fescue. 



Classification of Red Sheathed Grasses. 

 Blade shining on lower surface and eared ; ribs 

 prominent ; ligule remarkably short. 



Sheath flat. 



Sheath round. 



Perennial ryegrass. 



Margin smooth. 



Veins indistinct by 



transmitted light. 



Italian ryegrass. 



Margin rough. 

 Veins appear as pure 



white lines by 

 transmitted light. 



Meadow fescue. 



