60 CLASSIFICATION ACCORDING TO [CH. 



and dry but fairly stiff, and hairy above, especially at the 

 base. Ligule absent, or a tuft of hairs. Sheaths smooth. 

 Moors. Useless as forage, but used locally for brooms. 



Molinia is not easily confounded with any others but Anthoxan- 

 thwm (see p. 57), Arrhenatherum (see p. 56) or Brachypodium, 



Brachypodiiim sylvaticum is distinguished by habitat, its broad 

 leaves, membranous ligule, fibrous roots, &c. 



Kwleria cristata, Pers. (Crested Koeleria). Very short, 

 perennial in dry pastures, pubescent, pale green. Leaves 

 narrow, tapering below, soon involute, ciliated. Ridges 

 prominent, alternately high and low. Ligule obsolete, 

 or a mere jagged yellowish line. Useless. 



Triodia decumbens, Beauv. (Decumbent Heath-grass). 

 Low perennial. Leaves narrow, obtuse, slightly ridged, 

 tough, at length involute, with long, soft hairs, especially 

 below and on the edges. Sheath grooved, hairy, especially 

 at the throat. Ligule a tuft of hairs. Section of shoot 

 flat ; leaves conduplicate. Of no known use as fodder. 



The rare grasses Panicum glabrum, Gaud., P. viride, L. and 

 P. Crus-galK, L. introduced in the S.E. counties also come here. 



++ Ligule membranous. 



Avena fiavescens, L. (Yellow Oat-grass). Loose tufted 

 perennial, pale green, with rounded shoots bursting the 

 sheaths. Leaves flat, slender, soft, fine-ribbed and hairy, 

 especially on the low ridges above. Sheath hairy, especially 

 below, not keeled. Ligule short, obtuse, often truncate, 

 ciliate. A valuable pasture and meadow-grass, also in 

 water-meadows. Its roots are abundant, and it will grow 

 well in calcareous soils (see Fig. 10). 



