191 



Some other notes in regard to Agropyrum as a grass and fodder 

 grasses will be found under A. pectinatum. 



Habitat and range. Found in all the Australian Colonies, also in 

 Lord Howe Island and New Zealand. In the Australian Colonies it 

 extends from the coast and coast ranges to the dry interior in fact, it 

 is one of the species with the widest range. I have collected it up to 

 5,500 feet on Mt. Kosciusko. 



2. Agropyrum velutinum, Nees. 



Botanical name. Velutinum Latin, velvety, in reference to the 

 pubescent leaves. 



Synonym. Triticum velutinum, Hook. 

 Botanical description (B. Fl., vii, 665). 

 Stems 6 inches to above 1 foot high. 



Leaves chiefly at the base of the stem, flat or convolute when dry, not rigid, softly 

 pubescent or nearly glabrous. 



Spike raised on a long peduncle, 1 to 2 inches long, the rhachis pubescent and notched. 



Spikelets almost erect, imbricate, or the lower ones distant, ovate or oblong, about 

 ^ inch long, usually six- to eight-flowered. 



Glumes 3 to 5 lines long, rigid, with short almost pungent points, the outer empty 

 ones usually three-nerved, the flowering ones broader and five- or rarely seven- 

 nerved. 



Value as a fodder. Not important. It is less harsh than the other 

 species, but it does not appear to be very abundant. 



Habitat and range. Found in Tasmania; also on the Victorian and 

 New South Wales Alps, and other districts in the south-eastern parts 

 of this Colony. 



35. Agropyrum pectinatum, Beauv. 



Botanical name. Pectinatum Latin, like a comb, in allusion to the 

 appearance of the inflorescence. 



Synonym. Triticum pectinatum, R. Br. 



Vernacular name. I do not know any vernacular name actually in 

 use for this grass. The rather clumsy name of the Comb-like Wheat- 

 grass suggested for it may serve provisionally. 



Where figured. Labillardiere, as Festuca pectinata ; Agricultural 

 Gazette. 



Botanical description (B. FL, vii, 666). 

 Stems from under 1 to 1| feet high. 



Leaves chiefly at the base of the stem, narrow, flat, usually hairy. 

 Spike raised on a long peduncle, 1 to 3 inches long, the rhachis pubescent, not notched. 



Spikelets not very distant, spreading, or at length reflexed, mostly about J inch long, 

 including the short points, three- to six-flowered. 



Glumes spreading, the two outer empty ones shorter, with only the midrib or three- 

 nerved. 



Flowering glumes 4 to 5 lines long, rigid, three- or live-nerved, tapering into a rather 

 long pungent point. 



