hairy ligules 
papery ligules 
stem, there are from several to many basal nodes with axillary 
buds capable of initiating new growth. 
Leaves 
Grass leaves are borne at nodes along the stem in two ranks. 
The newest leaf is always on the opposite side of the stem from 
the leaf just below it. Leaves are parallel veined. 
The grass leaf consists of three principal parts : Blade, sheath , 
and ligule. Other parts are collar and auricle. 
The blade — the expanded part of the leaf — may be (1) flat, (2) 
V-shaped or folded, (3) involute (rolled inward), (4) filiform 
(threadlike), or (5) keeled (boat shaped). But it may grade 
from one form to another. 
The sheath is borne at the node and surrounds the stem like 
a tube. It is characteristically split down one side, making it pos- 
margins 
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