GENUS 27. 



GRASS FMAILY. 



171 



27. ANTHOXANTHUM L. Sp. PI. 28. 1753. 



Fragrant annual or perennial grasses, with flat leaf-blades and spike-like panicles. Spike- 

 lets 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. Type species : Anthoxanthum odoratum L. 



Perennial ; third and fourth scales pubescent nearly to the apex, the awn of the latter arising 



about one-fifth above the base. i. A. odoratutn. 



Annual ; third and fourth scales pubescent only below the middle, the awn of the latter arising 



about one-third above the base. 2. A. Puelii. 



i. Anthoxanthum odoratum L. Sweet 

 Vernal-grass. Fig. 406. 



Anthoxanthum odoratum L. Sp. PI. 28. 1753. 



Culms i-2 tall, erect, simple or branched, 

 smooth and glabrous. Sheaths shorter than the 

 internodes; ligule i"-2," long, acute, membranous; 

 blades i'-6' long, i"-3" wide, glabrous or nearly 

 so; spike-like panicles i'-2i' long, branches short, 

 erect or ascending; spikelets 4" long, crowded; 

 outer scales acute, glabrous or pubescent, the first 

 i -nerved, half as long as the second which is 

 3-nerved; the third and fourth very hairy, the 

 former with an awn longer than itself inserted 

 about the middle, the fourth scale bearing near 

 the base ah awn more than twice its length ; fifth 

 scale about two-thirds as long as the fourth, 

 obtuse or rounded at the apex, and bearing a 

 fertile flower. 



In fields and meadows throughout nearly the whole 

 of North America. Very fragrant in drying. Natu- 

 ralized from Europe. Spring- or Prim-grass. June- 

 July. 



2. Anthoxanthum Puelii Lecoq & Lamotte. 

 Long-awned Vernal-grass. Fig. 407. 



A. Puelii Lecoq & Lamotte, Cat. PI. Auver. 385. 1848. 



Culms up to i tall, slender, often branching above 

 the base, leaves smooth and glabrous ; sheaths shin- 

 ing; ligule scarious, obtuse, about i" long; blades 

 flat, up to 4' long and 2" wide; panicle i'-ii' long, 

 spike-like; spikelets, exclusive of the awns, about 

 3" long, the first scale about one-half as long as the 

 second, the third and fourth scales about li" long, 

 pubescent below the middle, the former with an awn 

 twice as long as itself, the fourth bearing an awn 

 2*~4 times as long as itself. 



Sparingly introduced, or escaped from cultivation in 

 waste places, New England to Ontario and Pennsyl- 

 vania. A native of Europe. May to August. 



28. SAVASTANA Schrank, Baier. Fl. i : 



337- 1789- 



[HIEROCHLOE J. G. Gmel. Fl. Sib. i : 101. 1747.] 

 Aromatic perennial grasses, with flat leaf-blades and contracted or open panicles. Spike- 

 lets 3-flowered, the terminal flower perfect, the others staminate. Scales 5 ; the first and 

 second nearly equal, acute, glabrous ; the third and fourth somewhat shorter, obtuse, entire, 

 emarginate, 2-toothed or 2-lobed, with or without an awn, enclosing a palet and stamens; 

 fifth scale often produced into a short awn, enclosing a palet and perfect flower. Stamens 

 in the staminate flowers 3, in the perfect 2. Styles distinct. Stigmas plumose. Grain free, 

 enclosed in the scales. [Name in honor of Francesco Eulalio Savastano.] 



About 8 species, natives of temperate and cold regions. Type species : Savastana hirta Schrank. 

 Third and fourth scales not awned, 

 Entire, culms i-3 tall. 



Panicle 4' long or less, its branches 2' long or less ; blades short, broad, i. 5". odorata. 



