SUFFOLK By
F.
W.
GRASSES SIMPSON
the most important family of flowering plants for their economic value, the Gramineae, is widely neglected by many botanists. A great number of species can be easily identified, while others are certainly difficult and require more critical examination. In recent years some of the confusions which have existed for a long time among genera and species have been resolved. However, much field work remains to be done in order to map more accurately the distribution of many species, varieties and hybrids. The work is made more difficult by the frequent introduction of new strains to agriculture. This article lists the species, several varieties and hybrids which have been found in Suffolk and it is hoped that others, which I have so far been unable to find, will be recognised. PERHAPS
Grasses can be found in practically every type of habitat and one soon gets to know the kinds to expect when searching a particular locality. Some genera contain species which are difficult to determine at sight and frequently a hybrid may confuse a beginner. Among Suffolk grasses we need to know far more about the distribution of a number of probably common and overlooked species. These include Glyceria plicata, G. declinata, Festuca longifolia, Poa cotnpressa, P. angustifolia, Bromus lepidus, B. racemosus, B. commutatus, Agrostis canina, A. gigantea, Phleum bertolonii. There are others which are no doubt far more frequent than my records at present show. Some local species when flowering are very attractive and therefore noticed and identified. T h e acres of the lovely Deschampsia flexuosa (Wavy Hair-grass) on heaths, as at Walberswick, deserve mention. The graceful Milium effusum (Wood Millet) and Melica uniflora (Wood Melick) are a constant delight in shady woods and thickets. There are other grasses equally attractive, and although abundant, not so well known, such as Agrostis tenuis (Common Bent) of heaths, Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire Fog) of waste places and Arrhenatherum elatius (False Oat) which dominates some shingle beaches. Several species, for example, Briza media (Quaking or Totter Grass), of permanent pastures have become less frequent in recent years and are now absent from many areas where old pastures have become arable or are reseeded. The nomenclature and arrangement I have followed is based on " List of British Vascular Plants", J . E. Dandy, British Museum (Natural History) and the Botanical Society of the British Isles, 1958. Space limits the publication of all records.