576 GRAMfalEM 



in. long, with branches in pairs, frequently viviparous, the spikelets 

 being converted into leafy bulbils. — Lofty mountains in the north : 

 very rare. — Fl. June — August. Perennial. 



4. P. stricta, a closely allied form, has slightly compressed 

 stems ; narrower leaves flat throughout ; panicle open in flower and 

 spreading in fruit, often viviparous ; spikelets 3 — 4-flowered, with 

 few or no hairs on the rachilla. — Loch-na-Gar ; very rare. — Fl. 

 July, August. Perennial. 



5. P. Idxa (Wavy Meadow-grass), another very closely allied 

 form, has channelled leaves hollowed at the tip ; panicle open in 

 flower and closed in fruit, rarely viviparous ; spikelets 3 — 4-flowered, 

 webbed with fine cottony fibres on the rachilla. — Loch-na-Gar; 

 very rare. — Fl. July, August. Perennial. 



6. P. lauca (Glaucous Meadow-grass). — A slightly creeping 

 plant, 6 — 1 2 in. high, with glaucous leaves with very short, blunt 

 ligules ; panicle slender, erect ; spikelets 2 — 3-flowered ; flowering 

 glume with 5 veins, only 3 hairy. — Lofty mountains, Ben Lawers, 

 Ben Nevis, Clova, Snowdon ; very rare. — Fl. July. Perennial. 



7. P. Balfourii, an almost indistinguishable lorm, rather larger, 

 with leaves not glaucous, with longer, blunt ligules ; spikelets 2—4- 

 flowered, sometimes webbed. — Occurs in similar positions. 



8. P. nemordlis (Wood Meadow-grass). — Another closely allied, 

 very variable form, or series of forms, is a slightly creeping, slender, 

 glabrous plant, 1 — 3 feet high ; leaves narrow, with short ligules ; 

 panicle slender, rather drooping, 2 — 5 inches long, spreading or 

 close, sometimes i-sided, with branches 2 — 5 together ; spikelets 

 small, 1 — 5-flowered, generally 3-flowered, yellowish-green and 

 purplish, generally webbed ; flowering glume with 5 veins, 3 hairy. 

 — Woods; general. — Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



9. P. compressa (Flat-stalked Meadow-grass). — A glabrous and 

 somewhat glaucous species, with creeping root-stock, and runners : 

 stem flattened, 6 — 18 in. high ; leaves flat, with short, truncate 

 ligules ; panicle 2 — 3 in. long, slightly 1 -sided, spreading when in 

 flower, branches 2 — 3 together ; spikelets ovate, 4 — 7-flowered, 

 slightly webbed ; flowering glume with 3 — 5 hairy veins. — Walls 

 and other dry places ; frequent. — Fl. June, July. Perennial. 



10.* P. Chaixii, with a 2-edged stem 2 — 3 feet high ; leaves 

 with rough sheaths, midribs, and margins, and very short, blunt 

 ligules ; panicle spreading ; spikelets oval, of 3, rarely 5 flowers, 

 not webbed ; flowering glume with 5 smooth veins, occurs in deep 

 shady places near Kelso. Perennial. 



11. P. pratensis (Smooth Meadow-grass). — Root-stock creeping, 

 with runners ; stem round, smooth, 1 — 2 feet high, but very 

 variable in size ; leaves sometimes glaucous, smooth, with long, 



