Order GRAMINE^. 



GENUS III. ALOPECURUS, Linnaeus. 



CREEPING or erect, glabrous or downy grasses. Spikelets laterally com- 

 pressed, imbricated in spike-like cylindrical panicles, i -flowered. Empty 

 glumes sub-equal, keeled, usually connate at the base ; awn straight 

 dorsal. Palea o. Scales o. Stamens 3. Grain free within the 

 hardened glumes. DISTRIBUTION OF GENUS: NORTH AND SOUTH 

 TEMPERATE COUNTRIES. Etymology. From two Greek words 

 signifying " a fox " and " a tail." . 



1. ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS. 



KNEE-JOINTED FOX-TAIL GRASS. 



(Plate V.) 



ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS, Linnaeus. English Botany, 1250. ALOPE- 

 CURUS PANICEUS, CEder. ALOPECURUS AUSTRALIS, Nees. In Mitchell's 

 "Australia." F. Muell., Fragrn. VIII., 138. ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS, 

 Linnaeus. Hook, fil., Fl. Tasm. II., 109 ; Fl. N.Z., I., 290 ; Handb. 

 N.Z. Flora, L, 320. 



A GRASS of moist habitats or shallow water-pools, often floating on the 

 water, where it presents when in flower, a conspicuous display of pale 

 flesh-coloured spikes. Found from near sea-level to 3500 feet altitude. 

 Flowers November December. Perennial. Roots fibrous. Culms 

 creeping at the base, ascending, bent at the joints, and often rooting at 

 the nodes, i 2 feet high. Leaves glabrous, flat, soft, slightly scabrous 

 on the edges ; sheaths large, grooved ; ligule long, membranous. 

 Panicle spike-like, cylindric, obtuse, ij 2\ inches long; rachis woolly. 

 Spikelets numerous, i -flowered. Empty glumes connate at the very 

 base, membranous, compressed ; keel with long bristles, 3-nerved. 

 Flowering glume ovate, 7 -nerved; awn variable in length and position. 

 Palea o. Anthers large. Styles nearly connate at the base. Stigmas 

 with short simple hairs. Ovary glabrous. DISTRIBUTION OF SPECIES : 

 EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA, NORTH ASIA, AUSTRALIA, 

 TASMANIA, NEW ZEALAND. 



