132 BRITISH GRASSES. 



joints smooth ; leaves broadish, flat, pointed, rough-edged, 

 the radical ones rough on the surface ; ligule short, blunt- 

 panicle cylindrical, from one and a half to three inches long, 

 erect, purplish, except when it grows in very shady situa- 

 tions, where it becomes pale green or nearly white ; spike- 

 lets compressed; outer glumes with long dense fringe on 

 their keels, taper-pointed ; flowering glume more obtuse, 

 but in height and hairiness resembling the outer ones ; palea 

 shorter, membranous, entire at the summit and hairy at the 

 edges. 



This rare alpine grass is found only on the Clova 

 mountains in the British Isles. Mr. Don discovered it 

 in one locality, but it is not on record that any botanist 

 has found it since. On this account, some writers of 

 the present day omit it from the list of British Phleums. 

 The fringes of the keels on the outer glumes are so con- 

 spicuous as to give the whole spike a hairy aspect ; 

 while the tapering figure of the said glumes distinguishes 

 the species from all the rest of the family ; it resembles 

 P. arenarium most, but its larger growth, fuller tint of 

 green, and simple culms, are sufficient distinctions, to 

 which is added the universal hairiness of the keels. 



It is a native of lofty mountains in Germany, Switzer- 

 land, and Savoy ; in these countries it flowers in July. 

 In Scotland it is rather later, not opening its blossoms 

 till the end of that month or the beginning of August. 



Genus IX. ALOPECUBUS. 



Gen. Char. Spikelet one-flowered; outer glumes equal, 

 ovate-lanceolate, concave, compressed, connate at base ; the 

 flowering glume ovate, lanceolate, concave, with a slight 

 awn on its back ; no palea ; filaments three, flattened at the 

 base ; anthers forked at each end ; ovary roundish ; styles 



