VIl] FLORAL CHARACTERS 113 



0© Spikelets small and numerous, more or 

 less elongated and pointed, not dangling: 

 glumes and palece not inflated. 



Poa and Festuca (see p. 116) are difficult genera for tlie beginner; 

 several of the species vary considerably in detail. Generally speak- 

 ing the spikelets of Festuca are hard, harsh and sharply pointed, or 

 with short or evident awns ; in Foa they are softer, and with 

 blunter points, and never awned. The most obviously awned 

 species of Festuca have more or less setaceous leaves and contracted 

 inflorescences (see p. 111). Some of the mountain species of Foa 

 are extremely variable in small characters. 



= Reed-like aquatic, with obtuse glumes rounded 

 dorsally ; the large richly branched panicle 

 bearing numerous 5 — 10 flowered spikelets. 

 Sheath entire or nearly so. No web to the 

 palece. 



Glyceria aquatica, Sm. 



For other reed-graases, see note, p. 103. Olyceria fluitans has a 

 more contracted panicle and usually more flowers in the spikelet &c. 

 (see p. 111). 



= = Meadow and pasture grasses Sc, usually 

 small. Glumes more or less keeled and 

 acute. Sheaths split. 



Poa. 



{ Spikelets very small and containing 2 — 3 

 flowers only. Stem slender, terete and 

 rough ; ligule long and acute, palea with 

 prominent lateral nerves. 



P. trivialis, L. 



The flowers are fewer than in any other Foa, and may be only two. 

 F. nemoralis, with 3 — 5 flowers, may also occasionally be found with 

 two only : it differs from others in its more acute glumes, smooth 

 stem and short hgule. 



P. pratensis differs in its creeping stolons, short ligule and more 

 numerous 4—5 flowers, and in the indistinct nerves of the palea. 



W. 8 



