166 BRITISH GRASSES. 



where in Antrim, according to Dr. Parnell. A native 

 of Lapland. 



It flowers in June and July, and its seed is ripe in 

 August. 



Tribe V. AVENE^l. 



Inflorescence panicled or recurved ; spikelets containing 

 more than one floret ; flowering glume shorter than the 

 outer ones. 



Genus XVII. AIRA. 



Gen. Char. Spikelets two-flowered ; outer glumes two, 

 equal, ovate-lanceolate, acute ; flowering glumes like the 

 outer ones in form, but thinner ; palea resembling the 

 flowering glume in height and texture ; awns short ; styles 

 bristle-shaped, spreading ; stigmas downy ; filaments long, 

 hair-like ; anthers oblong, forked at each end ; seed ovate. 



1. Aira csespitosa, Linn. Tufted Aira. 



Root perennial, fibrous, tufted ; stems ascending, cylin- 

 drical, rough, one and a half to two feet high, leafy ; joints 

 smooth, the stems sometimes lying on the ground to the 

 first joint, and then assuming the erect habit ; leaves linear, 

 pointed, harsh, rough, strongly ribbed, very numerous, 

 tufted, the radical ones sometimes folded ; sheaths rough, 

 ribbed ; ligule long, pointed ; panicle compound, large, 

 spreading, drooping before the florets open and erect after, 

 silver-grey or brownish in colour, and very glossy ; the 

 slender rachis and branches rough ; spikelets small, nume- 

 rous, each containing two or three florets ; outer glumes 

 nearly equal, pointed, the keel roughish, the two lateral 

 ribs of the upper glume smooth, the lower glume without 

 lateral ribs ; flowering glumes slightly shorter than the 

 outer ones, the summit cut into four teeth, the base 



