Mar., 1912.] A Revised Taxonomy of the Grasses. 491^ 



are called lodicules and are supposed to represent a vestigial 

 perianth. 



The synopsis given below corresponds quite closely with that 

 of Bessey, given in his "Outline of Plant Phyla, Second Edition." 

 I might add however, that my own arrangement was worked out 

 independently several >'cars ago before I knew that Dr. Bessey 

 was working on the same problem. To anyone interested, a 

 coinparison of the two synopses will indicate in some degree the 

 basis on which phyletic classification rests and the extent of 

 agreement to be attained by workers not influenced by nor follow- 

 ing any adopted "authority. " 



SYNOPSIS OF THE TRIBES OF GRASSES. 



I. Spikelets many — 1-flowered; rachilla usually articulated above 

 the empty glumes which are persistent after the fall of the 

 flowers; spikelets usually more or less laterally compressed. 



1. Aerial stems entirely woody or at least woody at the base, 



perennial; lodicules usually 3; leaf -blade with a 

 short petiole articulated with the sheath. 

 Subfamily, Bambusatae. 



a. Tribe, BambusecB. 



2. Aerial stems herbaceous and annual; lodicules usually 2; 



leaf-blades sessile, without a joint. 

 Subfamily, Poacatae. 



(1). Spikelets 2 — many-flowered; in panicles, spike-like 

 panicles or racemes. 



a. Flowering glumes as long or longer than the empty 



glumes, unawned or with a straight awn from 

 the apex. Tribe, Festucea. 



b. Flowering glumes generally shorter than the empty 



glumes, usually with a bent awn on the back; 

 callus and usually the rachilla-joints hairy. 



Tribe, AvenecB. 



(2). Spikelets 1 — several-flowered, in rows, forming an 

 equilateral or 1 -sided spike or raceine ; sometimes 

 monosporangiate . 



a. Spikelets sessile in 2 opposite rows, forming an 



equilateral spike; leaf -blades bearing at base a 

 more or less well-marked pair of auriculate 

 appendages. Tribe, H or decs. 



b. Spikelets sessile in 2 rows on one side of a flattened 



axis, fonning 1 -sided spikes which are digitate 

 or paniculate, or sometimes solitary. 



Tribe, Chloridece. 



