HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



51b. Upper florets fertUe, the lemmas not enwrapping each otherr 

 sheaths with overlapping or united edges; spikelets disarticulat- 

 ing above the glumes 61 



52a. Spikelets disarticulating below the glumes and falling entire at 

 maturity 53 



52b. Spikelets disarticulating above the glumes and between the flor- 

 ets 56 



53a. Rudimentary lemmas forming a pointed, cigar-shaped structure 

 54 



53b. Rudimentary lemmas forming a blunt, club-shaped or bell-shaped 

 structure 55 



54a. Glumes reaching nearly to the tip of the spikelet; spikelets V- 

 shaped. Fig. 86. 



Melica stricia Bolander 



Perennial; tufted; plants 15 — 60 cm. tall; 

 panicle slender, almost unbranched, ra- 

 ceme-like. All of the species of Melica 

 have thin, translucent glumes and firmer 

 lemmas. In this species, the glumes fre- 

 quently have considerable purple colora- 

 tion. Leaf blades scabrous, hairy on the 

 top, 1 — 3 mm. wide. Rocky and gravelly 

 slopes in the mountains. Late May — 

 August. 



^ 



Figure 86 



47 



