GRAM IN tiM. 



955 



5. Sand Phleum. Phleum arenarium, Linn. (Fig. 1156.) 



(Phalaris, Eng. Bot. t. 222.) 



An erect annual, 6 to 8 inches high, 

 with short leaves. Spike f to 1J inches 

 long, dense and nearly cylindrical, but 

 more or less tapering at the base. Spike- 

 lets about 1J lines long. Outer glumes 

 lanceolate, tapering into a short point ; 

 the keel ciliate with stiff hairs, and a very 

 prominent nerve on each side. Flower- 

 ing 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 of the Mediterranean in the south. 

 Common on the coasts of England and 

 Ireland, but rare in Scotland. Fl. 

 spring and early summer. Fig. 1156. 



IX. FOXTAIL. ALOPECURUS. 



Spikelets 1-flowered, flat, and densely crowded into a cylindrical 

 spike or spike-like panicle. Outer glumes boat-shaped, with a pro- 

 minent keel, but not awned. Flowering glume shorter, with a very 

 slender awn inserted on the back (sometimes concealed under the 

 outer glumes). Palea entirely wanting. 



A small genus, widely spread over the temperate and colder regions 

 of both the northern and the southern hemispheres, resembling Phleum 

 in habit, but easily distinguished by the absence of the palea. 



Annual. Outer glumes 3 lines long, united to the middle, 



glabrous or nearly so 1. Slender F. 



Perennials or rarely annuals. Outer glumes less than 3 lines, 

 free or united at the base only ; the keel hairy. 

 Spikes long. Awns more or less prominent. 



Stem erect or nearly so. Outer glumes lanceolate, about 



2 lines. Awns twice as long 2. Meadow F. 



Stems procumbent at the base. Outer glumes not 1J 



lines. Awns not twice as long 3. Marsh F. 



Spikes short. Awns scarcely exceeding the outer glumes . 4. Alpine F. 



