104 POA AQUATIC A. 



Stem erect, strong, smooth, striated, bearing seven or eight flat, 

 lengthy, broad, rough-pointed leaves, with harsh sheaths, the upper 

 one longer than its leaf, and having at its apex a brief, broad 

 ligule. Joints smooth, six to eight in number. Inflorescence compound 

 panicled. Panicle upright, large, branches rough, situated alternately 

 in half-whorls on the rachis. Spikelets many, upright, having from 

 four to eight florets, the upper ones large and ovate, the others smaller 

 and narrower. Calyx consisting of two membranous, unequal-sized, 

 blunt glumes, destitute of lateral ribs. Florets not webbed, consisting 

 of two awnless paleae. The exterior palea of lowest floret seven-ribbed. 

 Stigmas compound and plumose. Styles larger than the stigmas. 

 Length from three to six feet. Root perennial and creeping. 



Flowers about the middle of July, and ripens its seed in a month. 



The specimen for illustration was gathered near Gee- Cross, Cheshire, 

 by Mr. Joseph Sidebotham, of Manchester. 



