SESLERIA.
Gene. Char. Calyx with two valves, containing from one to three florets j corolla, the
larger valve with three teeth, the smaller one notched.
SESLERIA GERULEA.j Cynosurus ciERULEUs, Sp. Plant.
LAira varia, Jacquin.
Rock-grass.
Spec. Char. One British species only.
Sesleria caerulea is a resident o f rocky stations, but not particularly courting the most elevated
places 5 it is found (but rather sparingly) on all the Scotch alps towards their summits, in profusion
about Settle, in Yorkshire, and on the lower parts of the mountain Ingleborough, yet we lose
it before we gain the middle o f the hill.------ Straw without a joint, and sheathed with a single leaf
about half way up. Leaves minutely serrated on the edges, and with a tendency to roll up: florets
constituting a spike, the lower ones are disposed in sets of three or four; when young the florets
are green, then change to a purple blue, and finally become o f a pale brown colour.-- " The light
spiked head of this plant, placed at the end o f a long flexile stalk, fits it for constant motion, and in
its alpine stations it seems the sport of every wind that blows.—— The epithet‘ caerulea ’ is but a
poor appellation for this plant, viewed as a native of Britain; in continental specimens it is more
apposite; the leaves have no shading o f blue on them, and the little azure hue o f the corolla cannot
well deserve to characterize a species.—This grass remained for some time arranged with Cynosurus,
till Scopoli removed it from that improper association, elevating it to the rank of a species, which
he named after his learned Venetian friend, Dr. Leonard Seslero.
A, a Floret detached.
B, the Calyx.
C, the Corolla.
D, the Style.