442 BRITISH FLOWERING PLANTS 



LOLIUM 



This genus resembles Triticum, but the face of the 

 spikelet is applied to the axis. 



L. perenne (Ray-grass). — The flowers are slightly 

 protogynous or homogamous ; they open in the early 

 morning. This species is common in waste places and 

 is also a valuable pasture-grass. 



L. temulentum (Darnel) resembles the last species, 

 but differs in being an annual. It occurs in cornfields, 

 and is probably not a genuine native. The fruit is 

 very poisonous. 



Brachypodium 



B. pinnatum. — The flowers open before 6 a.m., and 

 the anthers between 6 and *7. 



Bromus 



B. erectus, which occurs in fields and waste places 

 in dry soil, has homogamous flowers. The anthers are 

 orange yellow. 



B. sterilis occurs in similar localities to the last 

 species. Warnstorf found only cleistogamous flowers. 



B. arvensis, a continental species, is classed as a 

 casual in Britain. The flowers rarely open. 



Festuca 



As to the number of British species there is much 

 diS'erence of opinion. Bentham admitted Ave, others 

 make several more. The genus is closely connected 

 with Poa and Bromus, difi"ering from the former in the 

 sharp-pointed or awned flowering glume, and from the 

 latter in absence of hairs on the top of the ovary. 



F. ovina is often viAdparous, especially in mountain 

 regions. 



Dagtylis 



D. glomerata (Cock's-foot). — A coarse grass common 

 in waste places. The flowers are slightly protogynous, 

 with a long-lived stigma. The stamens do not turn 



