191 



Some other notes in regard to Agropyrum as a grass and fodder 

 grasses will be found under A. pectinatum. 



Habitat and range. — Found in all the Australian Colonies, also in 

 Lord Howe Island and New Zealand. In the Australian Colonies it 

 extends from the coast and coast ranges to the dry interior — in fact, it 

 is one of the species with the widest range. I have collected it up to 

 5,500 feet on Mt. Kosciusko. 



2. Agropyrum velutinum, Nees. 



Botanical name. — Velutinum — Latin, velvety, in reference to the 

 pubescent leaves. 



Synonym. — Triticum velutinum, Hook. 



Botanical description (B. Fl., vii, 665). — 



Stems 6 inches to above 1 foot high. 



Leaves chiefly at the base of the stem, flat or convolute when dry, not rigid, softly 

 pubescent or nearly glabrous. 



Spike raised on a long peduncle, 1 to 2 inches long, the rhachis pubescent and notched. 



Spikelets almost erect, imbricate, or the lower ones distant, ovate or oblong, about 

 J inch long, usually six- to eight-flowered. 



Glumes 3 to 5 lines long, rigid, with short almost pungent points, the outer empty 

 ones usually three-nerved, the flowering ones broader and five- or rarely seven- 

 nerved. 



Value as a fodder. — Not important. It is less harsh than the other 

 species, but it does not appear to be very abundant. 



Habitat and range. — Found in Tasmania ; also on the Victorian and 

 New South Wales Alps, and other districts in the south-eastern parts 

 of this Colony. 



35. Agropyrum pectinatum, Beany. 



Botanical name. — Pectinatum — Latin, like a comb, in allusion to the 

 appearance of the inflorescence. 



Synonym. — Triticum pectinatum, R. Br. 



Vernacular name. — I do not know any vernacular name actually in 

 use for this grass. The rather clumsy name of the Comb-like Wheat- 

 grass suggested for it may serve provisionally. 



Where figured. — Labillardiere, as Festuca pectinata ; Agricultural 

 Gazette. 



Botanical description (B. FL, vii, 6Q6). — 



Stems from under 1 to 1| feet high. 



Leaves chiefly at the base of the stem, narrow, flat, usually hairy. 



Spike raised on a long peduncle, 1 to 3 inches long, the rhachis pubescent, not notched. 



Spikelets not very distant, spreading, or at length reflexed, mostly about \ inch long, 

 including the short points, three- to six- flowered. 



Glumes spreading, the two outer empty ones shorter, with only the midrib or three- 

 nerved. 



Flowering glumes 4 to 5 lines long, rigid, three- or five-nerved, tapering into a rather 

 long pungent point. 



