26 



The ribs are quite low and fine. 



vii. 4 5. The ligule is thick, white or brown in colour, and 

 much broader than long. 

 Summary : 



a. Tastes of cumarin. 



b. A characteristic beard of hair at the base of 



the blade. 



c. Blade often with a pair of minute round ears 



at base (distinction from every other grass). 



d. Ribs low, and inconspicuous. 



e. Ligule thick, shorter than broad. 



Group VIII. Bristle-bladed Grasses. 



MOOR MAT GRASS OR MAT GRASS. 



vin. i. The bristle-like blades are spread out horizontally, 

 unless when quite young. 



Excessive hardness, thick cartilaginous base, and 

 thorn-like apex, are the distinctive features of this 

 bristle blade. 



The ligule is conspicuous, and, like the blade, thick 

 and stiff. 



When the plant is pulled up, the cord-like roots, 

 and the fan-shaped form of the tuft, are the striking 

 features. A fan-shaped tuft also occurs in cocksfoot. 



Summary : 



a. Bristle thick, hard, and horizontal (when old). 



b. Ligule thick, and fairly conspicuous. 



c. Tuft fan-like. 



d. Roots cord-like. 



