P L A T E L X V III.
FESTUCA DURIUSCULA. { Spec. Plant.
Hard Fescue-grass,
Spec. Char. Panicle diffuse, branched; floret valves -with or without aristae; straw upright;
. leaves bristle-shaped, and smooth.
F estuca duriuscula is to be found in most pastures, but especially in those which are upland or
dry; we meet with it in the crevices of walls, and in the fissures of rocks: growing in maritime
situations, or within the influence of the sea air, it becomes towards autumn of a blue green hue, and
is then probably the variety known under the name of F. glauca.- As an upland pasture grass,
perhaps we have few superior to the hard Fescue; though its produce is not abundant, yet in dry
seasons its foliage is less injured and wasted than any o f our grasses: sheep eat it with a marked
avidity, and it abounding in what the grazier calls *’ proof,’ a smaller quantity of it will perhaps continue
existence longer than any other of our grasses. In low lands and meadows it will not be serviceable,
as in those situations it is comparatively insignificant compared with the luxuriant vegetation o f such
places.____Much as this grass will be esteemed vegetating in its required stations, yet in arable lands
it is often a most pernicious weed: in newly broken-up soil, or after a foul tilth, it springs up with-
the com, of a deep green colour, distinguished by the name of Black-grass, and often in very considerable
patches overpowers the com, or at least robs it of that nutriment which it requires, and the
spikes consequently become unhealthy in their look, thin in quantity, and the grain poor in quality.
A, the valves of the Calyx.
B, the valves of the Corolla.
(See the supplementary Plates.)