21 



PHALAEIS AKUNDINACEA. 



LiNNjsus. Smith. Hooker. Koch. G-eevihe. Pabneli,. Hudson. 



PUBTON. SOHEADEB. OeDEE. LeEES. EhEHAET. 



PLATE VII. B. 



Arundo colorata, Soiand. Detandee. Smith. 



" " Knapp. Willdenow. Hallee. 



Phalaris arenaria, Smith. Soweebt. Hudson. 



" phleoides, var. Aiton. 



Phleum arenarium, Linn^us. Withering. 



The Reed Canary Grass. 



Phalaris — Shining, (from tlie Greek.) Anmdinacea — A reed. 



A HANDSOME and abundant coarse-growing species on the 

 banks of rivers and sides of lakes, preferring a strong clayey 

 soil. Cattle are not* partial to it, yet it produces a large and 

 early crop, and may be cut three times a year. A variety cul- 

 tivated in our gardens is exceedingly handsome; it is best known 

 as the "Ribbon Grass," or "Painted Lady Grass." The leaves 

 are beautifully striped with green and white, varying considerably 

 in the width of the diflferent bands of colour. 



Common in Scotland, England, Ireland, Germany, and in 

 the South of Europe, but unknown in America, Lapknd, 

 Sweden, or Norway. 



Panicle upright, long, and narrow; rachis and branches rough. 

 Spikelets crowded, numerous, of one awnless floret hid within 

 the calyx. Spikelets occasionally tinged with purple, white, 

 yellow, and green. Calyx two nearly equal, acute glumes; keels 

 toothed, sides rough; calyx three-ribbed. Floret of two paleae, 

 the outer one acute, rough; edges hairy, longer than inner 



F 



