CREEPING SOFT-GRASS 



S3S 



has a short blunt ligule, and the panicle is open when the fruit is 

 ripe, while Fiorin possesses a long acute ligule, and the branches 

 of the panicle close up to the main axis when the fruit is ripe. 



Brown Bent-Grass (A. canina L.) is another common useless 

 species which grows upon wet peaty ground. Its flowering 

 glume differs from the other species mentioned in having a long 

 slender dorsal awn. 



Genus Holcus. 



Panicle spreading; spikelets two-flowered, upper one male, 

 with awiied flowering glume, 

 lower one bisexual, with awnless 

 flowering glume; empty glumes 

 keeled. 



Yorkshire Fog : Woolly Soft- 

 Grass {Holcus lanatus L.). — An 

 extremely common grass about 

 a foot or 1 8 inches high, with 

 soft woolly hairs on its leaf- 

 sheaths, blades, and spikelets. 

 It has a tufted habit ; the awn 

 of the flowering glume of the 

 male flower is bent like a fish- 

 hook, and scarcely visible above 

 the empty glumes. 



Creeping Soft - Grass {H. 

 mollis L.) is similar in general 

 appearance, but more locally 



distributed in the country than Fig. 175.-/1, Panicle of Yorkshire Fog(na- 

 , 1 ■ . T tural size). 



the precedmg species. In some B, Spikelet (twice natural size). 



districts it is common, especially on sandy soils and by the side 

 of shady woods and hedges. It differs from the above by having 

 somewhat extensive rhizomes, and the awn of the flowering glume 

 of the male flower is nearly straight. 



