P L A T E XC.
AVENA PUBESCENS.{ Spec. Plant.
Hairy-leaved Oat-grass.
Spec. Char. Branches, several proceeding from a stage; all the spiculae on footstalks;
leaves short and hairy.
Avena pubescens will readily be observed in the dry pastures it frequents by its shining and silvery
panicle, tinted with purple, and by its scanty foliage, which gives it a poverty of appearance: the
leaves are short and hairy; panicle somewhat drooping; the florets are upright: the calyx is skinny;
the valves o f the florets are membranaceous, the longer one o f which is attended by an arista
almost as long again as the valve; each floret is furnished with a tuft o f long white hairs at the base.
The Avena pubescens makes its appearance at the latter end o f May, and can in no instance
be regarded as of utility to the fanner; the little herbage it boasts o f is diy, and unwelcome to cattle,
and its husky panicle deters them from eating it: it may in every point o f view be considered as an
intruder; it inhabits dry and stony uplands, though it is occasionally found in rich good pasturage, but
the luxuriant meadow grasses expel it from their society.
A, the Calyx.
B, the three Florets from the calyx; we commonly find only two in it.
C, the valves o f the Floret.