ch. vn] Botanical Description of Species 



115 



outline. The naked grain is oblong-elliptical, with a shallow 

 groove. (Fig. 123.) 



Lolium italicum, Braun. (Italian Eye-grass.) (Figs. 121 and 

 122.) See also p. 155. 



This variety is distinguished from the above chiefly by: 

 (1) its more rounded shoot section, the leaves being rolled in 

 the shoot; (2) its more distinctly tufted habit, and broader 

 leaf-blades; (3) and its awned outer palea. It also usually 



Fig. 123. "Seed" of 

 Lolium perenne. x 10. 



Fig. 124. "Seed" of Lolium italicum. 

 Front and back views, x 10. 



behaves as a biennial, and is more luxuriant in growth. In most 

 other respects it is similar to L. perenne. 



"Seed." Very similar in size, etc., to those of Perennial 

 Eye-grass but not so much flattened. The rachilla may be 

 flattened or almost cylindrical. The terminal awn is usually 

 longer than the outer palea. It is not at all uncommon for the 

 "seeds" to shed their awns at the ripening period. (Fig. 124.) 



L. woldicum is a rapid growing annual variety of Italian 

 Eye-grass. 



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