155 



FIG. 124. Festuca elatior pratensis (Huds.) Hack. MEADOW FESCUE— a., 

 A 7-flowered spikelet partly in flower. Other species of this genus are illus- 

 trated by figs. 287, 289, in Bui. 7, and 573 to 581, in Bui. 17. 



124. FESTUCA Linn. Sp. PI. 73. 1753. Spikelets several-flowered, pedicellate 

 in narrow and dense or loose and spreading panicles; rachilla articulated above 

 the empty glumes and between the florets. Empty glumes at the base of the 

 spikelets 2, more or less unequal, narrow, and acute; flowering glumes rounded 

 on the back at least below, acute (rarely obtuse) or tapering into a straight 

 awn, faintly 3- to 5-nerved, not webbed at the base. Stamens 3. Styles very 

 short, distinct; stigmas plumose. Grain elongated, furrowed, frequently 

 adnate or grown to the palea or floral glume. Usually ceespitose, perennial 

 (rarely annual) grasses of various habit. 



Species about 80, in all parts of the world, especially the temperate regions. 

 Many are valuable forage plants. 



