52 



Botanical Section 



[pt I 



and without distinct keels; the lower ones usually pubescent or 

 hairy — the upper ones often glabrous. Blade rolled in the shoot, 

 dull, long, and rather thin; broadest in middle, tapering to an 

 acute apex, and narrowing below. Upper surface sparsely hairy, 

 almost ribless, and rough, especially downwards. Lower surface 

 slightly keeled near base, occasionally hairy. (The hairiness of 



Fig. 29. "Seed" of Agro- 

 pyrum repens. x 5. Front 

 view. 



lu,, -" > 



Fig. 30. "Seed" of Agro- 

 pyrum caninum. x 5. 

 Back and front views. 



this species varies very much.) Auricles prominent, narrow and 

 pointed; springing from greenish-white triangular areas at base 

 of blade. Ligule very short, blunt and finely fringed. Abundant 

 in Britain, and a most troublesome weed on cultivated ground. 



Flowers about July; flowering culms \\ to 3 feet high; 

 inflorescence spikate. Spikelets in two rows, with the edges of 



