512 THE GRASS FAMILY. - [Phleum. 
rough on the edges. Spike (or spike-like panicle) cylindrical and very 
compact, from 1 to 3 or even 4 inches long, with very numerous small 
spikelets. Outer glumes about a line long, with broad, scarious edges, 
truncate at the top; the green keel slightly ciliate and projecting into a 
point shorter than the glume itself. Flowering glume entirely included in 
the outer ones and closely covering the palea; the stamens and styles 
protruding from the top. 
In meadows and pastures, in Europe and temperate Asia, from the Medi- 
terranean to the Arctic regions. Abundant in Britain, FJ. early summer, 
and often again in autumn. | 
2. P. alpinum, Linn. (fig. 1168). Alpine Phleum.—Perennial like 
the last, but usually of much lower stature; the sheaths of the upper 
leaves very loose or inflated. Spike ovoid or oblong, seldom an inch long, 
usually assuming a purplish hue. Outer glumes truncate as in P. pra- 
tense, but the keel lengthened into an awn, varying from 1 to 2 lines in 
length. 3 
a alpine pastures, in northern and Arctic Europe, Asia, and America, 
and in their mountain-chains, reappearing in Antarctic America. In Britain, 
only in the higher Scottish mountains. 7. summer. 
3. P. Boehmeri, Schrad. (fig. 1169). Bahmer’s Phleum.—An erect 
perennial, like P. pratense, but usually smaller, with shorter leaves, the 
sheaths not enlarged. Spike cylindrical, 1 to 83 inches long, not quite so 
dense as in P. pratense. Outer glumes narrow-lanceolate, tapering into a 
minute point, without hairs on the keel, and with a narrow, scarious edge. 
Flowering glume much smaller, Palea with a minute bristle at its base 
outside. P. phalaroides, Koel. ! 
In dry fields, and waste places, generally dispersed over Europe and 
Russian Asia, except the extreme north. Rare in Britain and chiefly 
found in some of the eastern counties of England. #1. summer, rather 
early. 
_ 4, RP. asperum, Jacq. (fig. 1170). Rough Phleum.—An annual, 6 
inches to afoot high, with a cylindrical spike like that of P. Bahmeri, 
but the spikelets are smaller and more numerous. Outer glumes less 
than a line long, of a firm texture, smooth or scarcely rough, narrow at 
the base, enlarged upwards, and contracted rather suddenly into a very 
short point, the lateral nerves scarcely prominent. Flowering glume very 
small. 
In dry fields, and waste places, in central and southern Europe, extend- 
ing eastward to the Caucasus, and northward into eastern France and 
central Germany. Rare in Britain, where it has been found casually, 
chiefly in the eastern counties. #7. summer. 
5. P. arenarium, Linn. (fig. 1171). Sand Phleum.—An erect annual, 
6 to 8 inches high, with short leaves. Spike # to 14 inches long, dense 
and nearly cylindrical, but more or less tapering at the base. Spikelets 
about 13 lines long. Outer glumes lanceolate, tapering into a short point ; - 
the keel ciliate with. stiff hairs, and a very prominent nerve on each side. 
Flowering glume not one-third the length of the outer ones. 
In maritime sands, chiefly in western Europe, extending, however, far 
along the shores of the Baltic in the north, and the Mediterranean in the 
