T^ 



LEERSIA. 



99 



keel; nopalea; stamens short ; anthers long ; ovary narrow, 

 acute ; stigmas feathery. 



We are indebted to Mr. Borrer for the admission of 

 this elegant grass to our 

 British flora. He found it 

 in ditches, slow streams, and 

 boggy situations, in Sussex 

 and Hampshire. It is a 

 common species in North 

 America, also in Asia, and 

 is a well-known weed among 

 rice in Italy. Sequier says 

 that it is easily detected by 

 its glaucous hue by those 

 engaged in weeding, even 

 before the bristles on its 

 leaves are developed ; this 

 roughness procures for it 

 the name of Asperella in 

 Italian. In Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Switzer- 

 land, and Persia, it is a frequent inhabitant of watery 

 places. Up to the time of the florets opening, the 

 panicle is much enveloped in the upper sheath, and the 

 delicate zigzag branches of the rachis only spread fully 

 at the flowering time. The florets are pale green, and 

 greatly resemble those of its very important relative the 

 Rice-plant, only they are smaller. Its flowering time 

 is from August to October. 



Miss Pratt mentions an exotic species of Cut-grass, 

 the flowers of which are so constructed as to form a ve- 

 getable fly-trap for small insects. 



h2 



