76 AIRA CANESCENS. 



The florets composed of two equal-sized pales, the exterior one 

 acute, base hairy, and without lateral ribs, and having a lengthy- 

 dorsal awn. Inner palea membranous and narrow; apex notched. 

 Awn rising from a little above the base of the exterior palea, 

 and extending half its own length beyond; club-shaped above, 

 and having a circular fringe in the centre. Styles short, two. 

 Stigmas long and feathery. Filaments slender, three in number. 

 Anthers dark purple in colour, and short. Root annual or 

 biannual, and fibrous. Length from six to fourteen inches. 

 Flowers in July, and ripens its seed in August. 



