THE GENERA AND THETR SPECIES. 99 



Varieties — 



F. loliacea. Panicle spike-like, spikelets almost sessile, 



alternate, solitary, ligule decurrent ; 

 outer palea longer than outer glume. 



F. prate nsis. Panicle close, slightly branched ; leaves 



rolled in bud, auricled ; sheaths pink 

 below ground, root not creeping. 



F. ariindinacea. Panicle spreading ; leaves broad. 



This is one of the most variable as well as most valuable of 

 grasses, the varieties all changing into one another under different 

 conditions. The true F. elatior seems to be F. ariindinacea, the seed 

 of which is distinguishable by its large size, pointed shape, and 

 roughness on the back, owing to the spines with which the three 

 nerves are armed, which spines are absent in F. pratensis. In 

 Germany F. elatior is known as F. pratensis ; and in this country 

 all the varieties except F. loliacea seem to be similarly named. 

 Whatever be its name, Meadow Fescue is a valuable agricultural 

 grass on rich and moist lands, yielding a large quantity of hay 

 when cut in flower and good aftermath when grazed. Cattle like its 

 succulent herbage, which is in its prime after the second year. 

 The seed of the most profitable variety is fusiform, rather flat, 

 slightly grooved, and four times as long as broad. 



71. F. sylvatica. Upland woods and shady, wet places ; 

 ranging through Central Europe, rare in Britain. July and 

 August. Root perennial, creeping, tufted, fibrous. Stem slender, 

 smooth, somewhat inclining, leafy, scaly at base. Leaves all 

 flat, reversed at base, broad, long, pointed, ribbed, rough on both 

 sides, margins rough, bright green, upper leaf small. Sheaths 

 close, rough, leafless at base ; ligule not auricled, short, blunt, 

 notched or torn. Panicle drooping, unilateral, branches in 

 pairs ; rachis angular. Spikelets long and cylindrical, numerous, 

 alternate, inclining to one side, florets three or more. Glumes 

 unequal, very narrow, pointed, ribbed, keeled, the larger awned, 

 both ribless. Outer palea pointed, rough, three ribs, dorsal rib 

 toothed throughout ; inner palea with fringed edges. 



