H O L C U S .
Gene. Char. Calyx containing two-or three florets j florets with stamina and styles in each,
or stamina and styles In one, and only stamina in the other.
HOLCUS LANATUS.{i^a»f.
Short-awned Holcus.
Spec. Char. Calyx valves hairy j florets two, lower one with stamina and styles, the uppermost
with stamina onlyj arista not longer than the valve.
H olcus lanntns is a very common grass in most pastures, especially in those which are low and
nioistj it delights likewise in woods and shady places, but in peaty soils it becomes enlarged far beyond
the common growth of the pastures, and by the constant nutriment it there finds, remains with little
alteration throughout the summer: it is a handsome plant, and the soft appearance of the foliage,
and pinky tinge that the panicle generally assumes (except when blanched in the shade), point it out
amidst the pasture grasses.----------Regarding this Holcus, in an agricultural view, it appears to be a
deceitful grass, promising from its plenteous product of foliage, to be very valuable to the farmer,
but its herbage is not sufficiently succulent to be nutritious food, and the woolly clothing of the
whole is unpleasant to cattle, probably by reason that this laniferous plant requires to moisten it,
and fit it for the stomach, more mastication and saliva from the animal (having but little sap itself)
than an hungry beast is inclined to bestow upon it : yet, ■ though not recommended to form a crop by
itself, it is certainly, when mixed with other grasses, valuable to the grazier, from the quantity o f its
foliage, and plentiful winter provender, when made into hay that it affords, and if cut as chaff, that
unpleasant woolly quality would perhaps be nearly got rid of, or at least be rendered less disagreeable
to the mouths of cattle.
A, the Calyx.
B, a set of Florets, the upper one with an arista, and with only stamina,
and the lowermost with stamina and styles.