File:The British grasses and sedges (1858) (14763670572).jpg

Identifier: britishgrassesse00prat (find matches)
Title: The British grasses and sedges
Year: 1858 (1850s)
Authors: Pratt, Anne, 1806-1893
Subjects: Botany Grasses
Publisher: London, Society for promoting Christian knowledge
Contributing Library: University of British Columbia Library
Digitizing Sponsor: University of British Columbia Library

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anied by short, flat,rather light green leaves. It is very abundant inmeadows, pastures, and on do^Mis, growing often ata great elevation. It is a grass to which our summerhay-field owes much of its fragrance, for though othergrasses contribute to this, in some degree, yet hay madefrom rye-grass, or other sown grasses in which thisvernal species is wanting, has not the sweetness yieldedso fully by this. Its glumes, as seen beneath themicroscope, are copiously furnished with small glands,containing a fragrant essential oil. The scent of thisgrass is less powerful in its fresh, than in its dried state,but its pleasant flavour, reminding us of highly-scentedtea, is perceptible to the taste at all stages of its growth.It grows in any soil or situation, becoming more luxurianton moist land, and bearing, when growing in marshes,a large panicle. Though its amount of herbage is small,yet its readiness of growth renders it a useful pasture-grass; and its sweetness fits it for pleasure-grounds.
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vi.i.T sci:Nri;i) vkknai. gimss. Am hoxanLhum odor-fli uin .\r c. . Naidiis siricifl .■•.A how IOX TAIl. r,. Alopr-fiinis ;)ivi1(>nsis. .Il.vi. i-.-i-.c,. A ..llllillllf:. .T . si.i;Ni)i:i< 1. r, r.. A. rt^vosi is.(i. iiir.r.ixons ;-. -i. r,. A. hirlhopiis .7. ILOAIINO l-.T.r. . A . ((Pn ifiil.nl II.- s . oKANCi: sriKi;i) y. r. r..A.niiviis. BRITISH GRASSES AND SEDGES. 53 Professor Buckraan remarks, that it is a most valuablegrass to mingle with others, from the flavour vi^hich itimparts, but that it is too bitter to be greatly relishedby cattle in continual use, and without the admixture ofother grasses. Its leaves are apt in dry seasons to beblighted, and to assume an orange tint, and its stems,which do not seem to be eaten by cattle, wither early.The spike is by the middle of June of so bright ayellow as to have suggested the botanic name of thegenus. (Plate 249, fig. 1.) 2. Nardus (Mat-grass). 1. iV. strida (Mat-grass).—Spike erect, slender; tliespiJcelets all pointing

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