HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



47a. Lemmas longer than wide, their margins curled or folded in over 

 the edges of the palea; florets making acute angles with the 

 rachUla 48 



47b. Lemmas nearly circular in outline, their margins not curled in; 

 florets and glumes spreading at right angles to the rachilla. 

 Fig. 81. 



QUAKING GRASS 



Briza minor L. 



Annual; tufted; 10—40 cm. tall. The 

 species of Briza have very slender pedi- 

 cels, which allow the drooping spike- 

 lets to quiver in any slight breeze. 

 Ligules 4 — 5 mm. long. This species 

 and the next are occasionally grown 

 for ornament and winter bouquets. April 

 — May. Introduced from Europe. 



Briza media L. is similar, but has larg- 

 er spikelets. The ligules are about 1.5 

 mm. long. New England to Michigan. 

 Introduced from Europe. 



Figure 81 



48a. Callus of the florets covered with prominent straight or cottony 



hairs 49 



V 



48b. Callus of the florets glabrous 51 



49a. Callus hairy with straight spreading or erect 

 hairs; lemmas owned or awnless. Fig. 82 .... 50 



Figure 82 



49b. Callus hairy with fine, crimped cottony hairs; 

 lemmas awnless. Fig. 83 104 



Figure 83 



45 



