28 Class III. Order II. 



85. ELYMU3. 

 ELYMUS VIRGINICUS. L. Lyme grass, 



Spike erect ; spikelets three flowered ; involu- 

 ere striated. L. 



The large erect spikes of this grass resemble at a distance 

 heads of barley. The stem is round and smooth. Leaves 

 smooth, somewhat rough on the margin. The stem ends in a 

 compressed, flexuous, toothed receptacle ; each tooth support- 

 ing an involucre of four striated, rough, lanceolate glumes, end- 

 ing in short awns. Each involucre contains two or three flow- 

 ers. Calyx lanceolate with a straight terminal awn. Marshes. 

 July. Perennial. 



36. HORDEUM. 

 HO-RDEUM JUBATUM. Jlit, Squirrel tail grass. 



Lateral florets abortive, their awns many times 

 shortest ; involucres setaceous, six times as long as 

 the flower. 



This grass is remarkable for the length and fineness of its 

 awns, which give to its spikes a hairy appearance. Stems slen- 

 der, smooth, and round, two feet high. Leaves rather short, 

 rough on the back and edge. Sheaths smooth. Receptacle 

 compressed, ciliate on the edges, jointed, breaking at the joints 

 as the plant dries. Flowers two ranked, one at each joint or 

 tooth of the receptacle. Each perfect floret is surrounded at 

 its base by an involucre of six long capillary awns, two of which 

 are distinct ; the other four unite in pairs a short way from their 

 insertion, each pair with a minute, abortive floret in its fork. 

 Outer glume of the calyx lanceolate, ending in an awn six times 

 its length, and equalling those of the involucre. Marshes. 

 June. 



