VIl] FLORAL CHARACTERS 109 



blances to certain moor-sedges at first sight. The only other 

 grasses with similarly shaped spikes are species of Alopeourus, 

 PhleuTn, and the rare Lagims, Polypogon, Phalaris, Panicum, all 

 ■with very different spikelets and easily distinguished. 



(2) Inflorescence a panicle or raceme — i.e. the spikelets 

 on evident stalks, simple or branched, from the 

 main axis. 



It does not follow that every spikelet is distinctly stalked, and 

 cases occur where the stalks are very short and stiff : when this 

 happens to the stalks arising from the main axis, and the latter is 

 elongated, the type of the spike is closely approached, and the 

 inflorescence resembles that of Brachypodium, Lolium, &c. In 

 some depauperated varieties of Poa, Festuca, &c., an actual spike 

 results (see note, p. Ill) : the number of flowers in the spikelet is 

 important. 



(a) Panicle short, contracted and tuft-like, owing to 

 the shortness and stiffness of most of the stalks 

 and their tendency to remain erect, at least until 

 anthesis. Glumes keeled and ending in a point. 



(i) Panicle with a few branches, at first erect, 



ending in tuft-like secund clusters. Spikelets 



harsh, with 3 — 5 flowers. Coarse meadow-grass. 



Bactylis glomerata, L. 



Not easily confounded with any other grass if attention is 

 paid to the folded coarse leaves, the tufted perennial habit, and 

 the harsh inflorescence, the glumes on the spikelets being stiffly 

 hairy on the keel. 



(ii) Panicle contracted, more or less ovoid or cylin- 

 droid, but most of the spikelets stalked, and not 

 aggregated into dense clusters, spikelets silvery, 

 containing 2 — 3 flowers. 



Koeleria cristata. Pars. 



