FESTUCA T> T TVT ]Vf A T A f Hudson's Flora Ang,
_L A -L^ -£*-• I Bkomus pinnatus, Sp. Plant.
Heath Fescue.
Spec. Char. Spike erect, and with aristae; arista shorter than the floret valve.
.Festuca pinnata is an inhabitant of dry, calcareous, and stony counties, abounding where any exists,
but otherwise it is nearly a local plant: on that extent o f road between Oxford and Cirencester it is in
profusion; Cotsford-common, between Buckingham and Middleton-stoDy, is covered with i t : numerous
leaves issue from the roots, a little roughish, and the younger ones are beset with fine hairs at the
edges; the sheathing is generally hairy, as well as the inner surface of the leaves, but this is not
universally the case; there are generally six or seven florets in each spiket, but that number is occasionally
far exceeded; its aristae are very short, about half the length of the valve o f the corolla, and
usually are longest upon the upper part of the spikets: the difference between this Heath Fescue and
the next species is immediately manifested by the length of their aristae, which for a specific criterion
can seldom be relied upon, but in this instance is permanent.--------- Festuca pinnata is a coarse harsh
grass, applicable to no agricultural purpose, but in all instances is the product o f a lean and hungry
soil; it retires from cultivation, and is poisoned by manure.
The figure given in die Flora Danica, under the name of this plant, is Festuca sylvatica.
There is a curious variety of this plant (the product of luxuriance), in which a short peduncle
arises from the lower stage, elevating from four to five spiculae.
A, Spiket.
B, the Calyx,
C, the valves of the Corolla.