VEGETATION OF MEADOWS AND PASTURES 69 



slender. A very small Orchid found in September on limestone 

 pastures is the Autumnal Lady's Tresses (Spiranthes autumnalis). 

 The flowers are white with a scent of almonds ; the leaves are 

 rosette-like, and not more than an inch long. 



In pasture land lately reclaimed from muddy salt marshes, 

 as in the Levels of Somerset, many maritime aquatic plants occur.. 

 In older, drier pastures the aquatic plants will be fewer, and the 

 Field Thistle becomes a troublesome weed. 



SANDY PASTURE. On sandy pastures 

 the Restharrow, the Stork's Bill, the Stone- 

 crop, the Heath Bedstraw (Galium saxatile) 

 and patches of Gorse are the most char- 

 acteristic plants. 



The Restharrow is a very variable plant. 

 In sandy soil it is more thorny than when 

 growing inland ; in these dry situations 

 many of the small branches end in a thorn. 

 The flowers are of a beautiful pink colour ; 

 the " standard " is large, and the filaments 

 of the stamens are all united in a sheath. 



ALPINE PASTURE The term " Alpine 

 Pasture " is usually applied by botanists 

 to natural pasture which is situated at an 

 altitude of over 2000 feet. The most 

 abundant grass is the Blue Moor Grass, so FIG. 30. Restharrow 

 called from the colour of the spikes, which 



get a bluish tinge in a congenial habitat. The roots descend very 

 deeply into the soil, in order that the grass may get a footing and 

 not be blown or washed away ; the stems are six inches to a foot 

 high, and the spike of flowers about an inch long. The stamens 

 have orange-yellow anthers, tipped with purple ; the stigmas 

 are very long. The time of flowering varies from April to May 

 or June, according to the altitude. Alpine plants are found along 

 the sides of streams in Alpine pastures ; but above 2000 feet, 

 where Alpine pastures are situated, vegetation is at the best 

 scanty. 



