SESLERIA caerulea.
B lu e Moor-grass.
TRIANDRIA Digynia.
G en. Char. Cal. o f 2 valves, containing about 3 florets.
Cor. o f 2 valves; the inner clo v en ; the outer
(m ostly) with 3 teeth. Styles united at their base.
Spec. Char. Spike ovate-oblong, imbricated. Bracteas
alternate. Outer petals with three teeth.
Syn. Sesleria caerulea. Scop. Cam. ed. 2. v. 1. 63.
Sm. FI. Brit. 94. With. 140. Hull. 2 1 . Knapp,
t. 43.
Cynosurus caeruleus. Linn. Sp. PI. 106. Huds. 59.
Dicks. H. Sicc. fasc. 6. 3. Mart. Rust. t. 20.
Jacq. Misc. v. 2. 66. Ic. Rar. v. 1. t. 2 1 .
Gramen parvum montanum, spica crassiore purpuro-
caerulel brevi. Ran Syn. 399.
T h i s rare mountain grass grows chiefly in the clefts of calcareous
rocks in elevated situations, flowering in the early
part of summer. We have received it from different parts of
Westmoreland, in which neighbourhood it more frequently
occurs than in any other in England, though Mr. Knapp
mentions it as common on the Scottish alps. The spike varies
in colour, but some of our native ones are as blue as any from
abroad.
The root is perennial, tufted, very long. Stem about a
span high, simple, without joints, smooth, naked except at
the base. Leaves linear, obtuse, recurved, keeled, rough-
edged : their sheaths short, tubular, compressed, with a very
minute stipula. Spike terminal, solitary, of a shining grey
or blue, with solitary, jagged, membranous bracteas at the
base of some of the lowermost spikelets. Spikelets mostly
in pairs, 2- or 3-flowered. Calyx-valves nearly equal, with
short awns. Petals ribbed; the outer with 3 teeth, the
middlemost slightly awned; inner with 2 teeth; all the ribs
are fringed. Stigmas threadshaped, rough. Styles joined at
their lower part.
Dr. Sibthorp found near Constantinople a new species
nearly akin to this, but with a white spike, and the outer
petals undivided.