Genus 37. 



GRASS FAMILY. 



191 



Spikes usually elongated, cylindric ; awns less than one-half the length of the outer scales • upper 

 sheath not inflated. L p. pratense 



Spikes not elongated, ovoid to oblong and cylindric ; awns about one-half the length of the outer 

 scales ; upper sheath inflated. 2 , p. alpinum. 



i. Phleum pratense L. Timothy. Herd's-grass. 

 Fig. 456. 



Phleum pratense L. Sp. PI. 59. 1753. 



Glabrous and smooth or very nearly so throughout, the 

 culms i°-4° tall erect, simple. Sheaths usually exceeding 

 the internodes, sometimes shorter, the upper one long and 

 not inflated, or very slightly so; ligule i"-2" long, 

 rounded; blades 3'-c/ long, 2"-}," wide, smooth or sca- 

 brous; spike usually elongated, cylindric, i¥-f in length, 

 2j"-4" in diameter; outer scales of the spikelet, exclusive 

 of the awn, ii" long, ciliate on the keel, the awn less than 

 half their length. 



In fields and meadows nearly throughout North America. 

 Also in Europe and Asia. Widely cultivated for hay. The 

 scales are sometimes modified into small leaves. Meadow 

 Cat's-tail. Rat-tail. Soldier's-feather. July-Aug. 



2. Phleum alpinum L. Mountain Timothy or Fox- 

 tail. Fig. 457. 



Phleum alpinum L. Sp. PI. 59. 1753. 



Glabrous, culms 6-18' tall, erect or sometimes decum- 

 bent at the base, simple, smooth. Sheaths often much 

 shorter than the internodes, sometimes longer, the upper 

 one usually much inflated; ligule about 1" long, truncate; 

 blades smooth beneath, scabrous above, the lower z'-tf 

 long, r"-4" wide; upper leaf generally very short, less 

 than 1' long; spike short, ovoid to oblong and cylindric, 

 i-2' in length, 3"-6" in diameter; outer scales of the 

 spikelet, exclusive of the awn, il" long, strongly ciliate 

 on the keel, the awn about one-half their length. 



Labrador to Alaska, south to the mountains of New Hamp- 

 shire, Vermont, Arizona and California. Also in northern 

 Europe, Asia, and in Patagonia. Summer. Alpine cat's-tail. 



38. ALOPECURUS L. Sp. PI. 60. 1753. 



Annual or perennial grasses with erect or decumbent culms, usually flat leaf-blades, and 

 spicate inflorescence. Spikelets i-flowered, flattened ; scales 3, the 2 lower empty, acute, 

 sometimes short-awned, more or less united below, compressed-keeled; keel ciliate or some- 

 what winged; third scale truncate or obtuse, hyaline, 3-nerved, awned on the back, subtending 

 a perfect flower and usually a palet; palet hyaline, acute, sometimes wanting. Stamens 3. 

 Styles distinct or rarely united at the base. Stigmas elongated, hairy. [Greek, signifying 

 Fox-tail Grass, in allusion to the spikes.] 



About 30 species, principally natives of the north temperate zone. Besides the following, some 

 4 others occur in western North America. Type species : Alopecurus pratensis L. 



Outer scales of spikelet united for half their length, keel smooth to hispid. 1. A. myosuroides. 



Outer scales of the spikelet united for one-quarter their length or less, long-ciliate on the keel. 

 Scales 1"— 1 }4" in length. 



Awn inserted at J4 above the base of flowering scale, exserted from the spikelet about 1". 



2. A. geniculatus. 

 Awn inserted at or about middle of scale, barely exserted from spikelet. 3. A. aristulatus. 

 Scales 2"-3" in length. 



Spike ij^'-2j^' long; outer scales glabrous or sparingly pubescent on the lateral nerves. 



4. A, pratensis. 

 Spike i l / 2 ' long or less; outer scales villous. 5. A. alpinus. 



