Calamagrostis
(from calamos, a reed, and agrostis, grass). ORD. Gramineae. A widely-distributed genus of grasses, for the most part hardy. Panicle more or less spreading; spikelets compressed, one-flowered; empty glumes two, sub-equal, lanceolate, pointed, keeled, awnless. The species thrive in any ordinary garden soil. Propagation may be effected by seeds, sown during autumn.
C. lanceolata (lanceolate). fl. purple, spreading in all directions; panicle erect, loose, much branched. July. Culms about 3ft. high, smooth, slender. Britain (moist woods and hedges). (Sy. En. B. 1724.) C. stricta (upright). fl. brown, spreading in all directions; panicle erect, close. June. Culm about 2ft. high, very slender, smooth. England, &c. (bogs and marshes), but very rare. (Sy. En. B. 1725.)