116 POA PRATENSIS. 



paleee; the exterior palea of basal floret five-ribbed. Dorsal 

 and marginal ribs hirsute on lower h^lfj the base of the floret 

 having a copious web suspending the calyx. Outer palea slightly 

 longer than inner one; the latter sometimes bifid at summit, 

 and having two marginal ribs. Length from twelve to fifteen 

 inches. Koot perennial and creeping. 



Flowers at the commencement of June, and ripens its seed 

 in a month. 



This plant delights to grow in loose sandy soil; it is very 

 subject to variety, nevertheless the webbed character of the 

 florets, the upper leaf considerably shorter than its sheath, the 

 obtuse ligule, and the hirsute marginal ribs are present in all 

 the varieties. 



Dr. Parnell enumerates the following: — 



1. — Planiculmis. Stem stout; leaves short and broad, upper 

 leaf folded. Common. 



3. — Umhrosa. Tall and slender; panicle drooping; leaves 

 long and narrow. Common in shady places. 



3. — Arida. Stem sheathed nearly to summit; panicle drooping. 

 Found in dry exposed situations. 



4. — Retroflexa. Small and slender ; lower branches of panicle 

 suddenly bent downwards. Common under trees. 



5. — Muralis. Slender and dwarf; panicle erect. Grows on 

 shady walls. 



6. — Arenaria. Stout and erect; large angular spikelets; outer 

 palea seven-ribbed; glaucous. Found amongst sand on the sea 

 coast. 



The illustration is from a specimen from Highfield House. 



