Group IX. Hard-bladed Grasses. 



Sandbinders Elymus, Psamma. 



The creeping underground stems bind the sand. 



Blade-eared Elymus. 



Elymus arenarius, L. (Sand lyme grass). Ribs very 



prominent, uniform, and flat on the summit. Ligule 



a mere margin, with a fringe of hair-like teeth, as 



in Triticum. (XIV. 3, 4.) 

 Triticum (Sea-side species). The ribs are less pro- 



minent than those of Elymus. 



Blade earless Psamma. 



Psamma arenaria, R. & S. (Sea-mat grass). Ribs 

 very prominent and mixed (i.e., of different shapes 

 and sizes). Ligule very long. (XIV. I, 2.) 



Hill and Heath Grasses Aim, Calamagrostis, Brachy- 

 podium pinnatum. 



Aira csespitosa, L. (Tufted hair grass). Blade with five or 



six snow-white lines between the very high acute 



ribs. Tufts of grass very large and conspicuous. 



(II. 1,2, 3,4,50 

 Calamagrostis (Small reed). Very rare. The ribs are 



less prominent. Blade usually taper-based. Ligule 



long and thickened. 

 Brachypodium pinnatum, Beauv. (Heath false brome). 



Hairy ; ribs very low. (X. 19.) 



e. The following grasses, with median lines, are some- 

 what hard or succulent : 



Poa pratensis and compressa ribless. 



Sclerochloa low, flat, and very broad ribs. 



Avena pratensis Ligule with an abrupt point. (XII. 



contd. 17.) 

 Triodia ligitle a hair tuft. 



