526 THE GRASS FAMILY. [Spartina. 



In a groove on the axis, all erect but turning to one side, each spikelet 

 6 to 8 lines long. Glumes thin but stiff, pointed or rather obtuse ; the 

 first empty one 3 or 4 lines long ; the second about half an inch, and 

 often hairy ; the flowering glume similar but scarcely so long ; the 

 palea again rather longer. The smell of the plant is strong and dis- 

 agreeable. 



In muddy salt-marshes, along the shores of the Atlantic ; common 

 in North America, less so in western Europe, and very local on the 

 Mediterranean as well as the North Sea. In Britain, only on the 

 southern and eastern coasts of England. Fl. summer and autumn. 

 A luxuriant variety, with long leaves, long slender spikes, and nearly 

 glabrous glumes, has been described as alterniflora, Loisel. [and 

 another with shorter leaves and a flexuous tip to the rachis as S. 

 Toicnsendii, Groves], but in North America these pass gradually into 

 the more common form. In Britain, these varieties have been found 

 on the coast of Hampshire and Kent. 



XXIII. LEPTURUS. LEPTURUS. 



Spikelets 1 -flowered (or, in some exotic species, 2-flowered), awnless, 

 inserted singly in notches on alternate sides of a simple slender spike, 

 the axis jointed at each notch. Outer glumes 2, hard and ribbed; 

 flowering glume or glumes very thin. Stamens 3 and styles 2, as in 

 most genera of Grasses. 



A genus of very few species, chiefly seacoast plants, widely dispersed 

 over the greater part of the globe. 



1. L. inciirvatus,Trin. (fig. 1206). CurvedL. An annual, decumbent 

 and much branched at the base ; the flowering stems curved upwards 

 or erect, a few inches, or when very luxuriant, nearly a foot high, with 

 short fine leaves, the uppermost one close under the flowers. Spike 2 

 to 4 inches long, usually curved ; the spikelets imbedded as it were in 

 the axis, which breaks off readily at every notch. Outer glumes about 

 2 lines long, stiff and pointed, with strong green ribs ; the flowering 

 glume and palea rather shorter, of a very delicate transparent texture. 

 L. jUiformis, Trin. 



In salt-marshes and maritime sands and pastures, on the western 

 coasts of Europe ; abundant all round the Mediterranean, extending 

 eastward to the Caspian and northward to the English Channel. In 

 Britain, it occurs on the shores of England, Ireland, and of Scotland, 

 south of Fifeshire, but is not generally common. Fl. summer. 



XXIV. NARDUS. MATGRASS. 



A single species, differing from all other genera of British Grasses in 

 the very simple structure of its spikelets. 



1. N. stricta, Linn. (fig. 1207). Matgrass.A densely tufted, erect, 

 wiry perennial, 6 inches to near a foot high. Leaves fine, but very stiff 

 and bristle-like. Spikelets 1 -flowered, sessile, alternately arranged in 

 2 rows on one side of an erect, slender, simple spike, often assuming a 



