FESTUCA MYURUS . { Spec. Plant.
Capon s-tail Grass,
Spec. Char. Panicle long and sweeping much branched at the base; spiculae numerousi
Much similarity exists between this plant and the preceding F. bromoides in the internal structure
o f their several parts, but the habits o f each are widely different; nor can we consent with the editors
of Ëncyclopèdiè Methodique to consider the Earlier -Fescue as only a variety of F. myurus: the
Capon’s-tail Grass is a much less common plant than F. bromoides, and it renders itself conspicuous
by its straw bending and sweeping backwards and forwards with every breeze. The lower part of
the panicle in F. myurus is much branched, and supports several spicuke; the calyx valves are very
unequal, and more so than in any other individual of the genus, excepting in the upper spikets of
F. loliacea. The difference that Linnasus notice» between this F. myurus and F. bromoides^ in that
the floret valves are' smooth in the latter, and fringed in the former, would form a good microscopic
specific distinction, but unfortunately that circumstance is not manifest in British specimens, both
species being nearly equally ciliated.--------- The Capon’s-tail grass vegetates most commonly on walls,
or the roofing of buildings, but will often be found rooted in thé earth, a stray from an original
station, and in that case becomes much enlarged in size, and from such unusual nourishment will
occasionally attain an altitude o f two or three feet.
A, a Spicula.
B, the valves of the Calyx.
C, the valves of the Corolla, the length of the arista varies greatly.
D, a Seed.