92 FLORA. 



3. Homalocenchrus lenticularis (Michx.) Scribn. CATCH.FLY GRASS. 

 (I. F. f. 289.) Culms 6-12 dm. tall, usually simple. Leaves 1-3 dm. long, 8-20 

 mm. wide; panicle 1.12-2.25 dm. long, finally exserted. its branches lax, and later 

 spreading ; spikelets much imbricated, 4-5 mm. long, 2-3.5 mm - wide ; scales 

 smooth or sparingly hispid-scabrous, the outer one strongly 3 -nerved, hispid on the 

 keel and margins, the inner much narrower, strongly i -nerved, hispid on the keel; 

 stamens 2. Wet grounds, Va. to 111. and Mo., south to Fla. and Tex. July-Sept. 



23. PHALARIS L. 



Annual or perennial grasses with flat leaves, the inflorescence spike-like, capi- 

 tate or a narrow panicle. Spikelets crowded, I -flowered. Scales 5, the first and 

 second about equal in length, strongly compressed laterally, usually wing-keeled; 

 third and fourth scales much smaller or reduced to mere rudiments; fifth scale sub- 

 tending a palet similar to itself and a perfect flower. Stamens 3. Styles distinct. 

 Stigmas plumose. Grain oblong, free, smooth, enclosed in the indurated scales. 

 [Greek, alluding to the shining grain.] About IO species, mostly natives of 

 southern Europe. Besides the following, 3 others occur in the U. S. 



Outer scales not winged ; inflorescence a narrow panicle. i. P. arundinacea. 



Outer scales broadly winged ; inflorescence a spike or spike-like panicle. 



Spikelets narrow ; third and fourth scales much reduced, rigid, subulate, hairy. 



2. P. Caroliniana. 



Spikelets broad ; third and fourth scales thin-membranous, broadly lanceolate, gla- 

 brous or sparingly hairy. 3. P. Canariensis. 



1. Phalaris arundinacea L. REED CANARY-GRASS. (I. F. f. 290.) Gla- 

 brous, 6-15 dm. tall. Leaves 8.75-25 cm. long, 6-16 mm. wide; panicle 7.5-20 

 cm. long, dense and contracted; spikelets 5-6 mm. long; outer scales 3-nerved; 

 third and fourth scales less than one-half as long as the fifth; fifth scale about 

 three-fourths as long as the spikelet, pubescent with long appressed silky hairs. In 

 moist or wet soil, N. S. to Br. Col., south to N. J., Ky., Kans. and Nev. Also in 

 Europe and Asia. July-Aug. The Ribbon-grass or Painted-grass of cultivation, 

 the so-called variety picta, has leaves variegated with green and white stripes, is a 

 derivative of this species, and sometimes escapes from gardens. 



2. Phalaris Caroliniana Walt. CAROLINA CANARY-GRASS. (I. F. f. 291.) 

 Culms 3-10.5 dm. tall. Leaves 5-15 cm. long, 4-10 mm. wide; spike-like panicle 

 oblong, 2.510 cm. long; spikelets 5 mm. long, 3-nerved; third and fourth scales 

 less than one-half as long as the fifth; fifth scale about two-thirds as long as the 

 spikelet, acuminate, pubescent with long appressed hairs. In moist soil, S. Car. 

 to Mo. and Cal., south to Fla. and Tex. June-Aug. 



3. Phalaris Canariensis L. CANARY-GRASS. (I. F. f. 292.) Culms 3-9 

 dm. tall. Leaves 5-30 cm. long, 412 mm. wide, strongly scabrous; spikes 1.25 

 3.75 cm. long, ovoid; spikelets 6-8 mm. long; outer scales whitish with green 

 nerves; third and fourth scales about half the length of the fifth, broadly lanceolate, 

 thin-membranous, sparingly hairy; fifth scale about two-thirds as long as the spike- 

 let, pubescent with appressed hairs. In waste places, N. S. to Ont., Va. and Neb. 

 Naturalized from Europe. The grain is the common food of canary birds. July- 

 Aug. 



24. ANTHOXANTHUM L. 



Fragrant annual or perennial grasses, with flat leaves and spike-like panicles. 

 Spikelets I -flowered, narrow, somewhat compressed. Scales 5; the two outer acute 

 or produced into a short awn, the first shorter than the second; third and fourth 

 scales much shorter, 2-lobed, awned on the back; the fifth scale shorter than the 

 others, obtuse. Stamens 2. Styles distinct. Stigmas elongated, plumose. Grain 

 free, enclosed in the scales. [Greek, referring to the yellow hue of the spikelets 

 in some species.] A genus of 4 or 5 species, natives of Europe. 



i. Anthoxanthum odoratum L. SWEET VERNAL-GRASS. (I. F. f. 293.) 

 Culms 3-6 dm. tall. Leaves 1.25-15 cm. long, 2-6 mm. wide, glabrous or nearly so; 

 panicles 2.5-6.25 cm. long; spikelets 8 mm. long, crowded; outer scales glabrous or 

 pubescent; the third and fourth very hairy, the former with an awn nearly twice 



