LOLIUM, L. 107 



ubiii^^iit, nor easy of iicqni.sitioii. Sheep are not fond of U. It 

 was once thought to give a sweet Ihivor to butter and to mutton ; 

 but tliese notions are now exploded. It nuiy be beneficial medic- 

 inally, as cattle will eat a little of it mixed witli other grasses, 

 but when in any eonsiderublo bulk they always refuse it.^' 



Sir J. B. Lawessays: "Upon the whole this grass takes 

 rank somewhat low in the scale of the better grasses for perma- 

 nent purposes. The growth is much discouraged by highly 

 nitrogenous and farm-yard manures, such as greatly increased 

 tho amount and proportion of the graminaceous hay plants, as a 

 Avhole. It only becomes prominent under conditions which do not 

 induce special luxuriance in its competitors, and it seems to be 

 more injured by association with more luxuriant grasses than by 

 the direct action of manures.*' 



The seeds are sometimes adulterated with those of Anthox- 

 anthum Puelii, a much smaller and insignificant plant, which is 

 an annual. The grass is a native of Europe, and is extensively 

 naturalized in N^orth America. 



LOLIUM, J.. 



Spikelets many flowered, sessile, distichous, compressed in a 

 simple spike, placed with one edge to the rachis. Eachilla 

 jointed between the flowers; flowers perfect or rarely imperfect. 

 Empty glumes, firm, 5-7-nerved, convex on the back^ obtuse 

 acute, or awned ; the empty glume next to the rachis wanting, 

 except in the terminal spikelct. Palea shorter than the floral 

 glume, narrow, 3-keeled. Lodicules ovate, ciliate. Stamens 3. 

 Styles distinct, very short, stigmas feathery, Caryopsis oblong, 

 smooth, adherent to the palea. Annuals or perennials, with flat 

 leaves. Spike terminal, elongated, spikelets nlaced on alternate 

 sides of a jointed r:iehi.s. 



Species about 20, found in north temperate regions. 



