ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. 83 



character. The golden colour of the whole panicle is its 

 greatest charm. It is a native of the south of Europe. 

 When sown in March, and planted out into a light soil, 

 it flourishes well, and seldom fails to produce abundance 

 of golden panicles. 



The Sporobolus tenacissim,us is a dainty little grass 

 well deserving notice. It is a native of the East Indies, 

 and in our climate flowers in August. The panicle is 

 lengthened and contracted ; the spikelets are awnless ; 

 the palese longer than the glumes. Loudon derives the 

 name from Greek words signifying "seed" and "cast 

 forth," because of the looseness of the grains, and the 

 ease with which they fall out when shaken by the wind. 

 Its height is about half a foot, it is perennial. 



Lamarckia aurea, golden-spiked Lamarckia, has spikes 

 as golden as the panicles of the golden-spiked Dog's- 

 tail. Like it, it is a grass of minute stature, — from six 

 to nine inches being its average height. The leaves are 

 broad, from three to five inches long, tapering, and often 

 turning round at the points. The whole plant is of a 

 light fresh green. The spikelets are from one and a half 

 to two and a half inches long, unilateral, and arranged 

 in bundles of three or four on a branch of the rachis; 

 they either stand at right angles with the rachis or are 

 somewhat pendulous. Each head is furnished with four 

 or five of these clusters of spikes. The pale^e are awned. 

 It should be sown in March or April, and is much ap- 

 preciated for pots or small bouquets. 



For a similar purpose we can recommend the Achno- 

 donton Bellardii for cultivation. This grass has a bulb- 

 ous root, is perennial, and grows about half a foot high. 

 It is a native of the seacoast of Mesopotamia, and 

 flowers in June and July. 



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