HOW TO KNOW THE GRASSES 



8a. Edges of leai sheaths united. See Fig. 94 (Melica imperiecta). 



8b. Edges of leaf sheaths overlapping, not united 9 



9a. Floret not dorsally compressed; a;vn present or absent. 



10 



9b. Floret dorsally compressed, the lemma and palea stiff, smooth and 

 shining; awn absent. Fig. 196. 



Milium eUusum L. 



Perennial; culms in small tufts, up to 150 

 cm. tall. Foliage smooth, the leaf blades 8 — 

 15 mm. wide. The panicles are 10 — 20 cm. 

 long, very open, cylindrical, with short droop- 

 ing branches. The dorsally compressed floret 

 greatly resembles that of species of Panicum, 

 but the disarticulation above the glumes 

 places it with the Agrostideae. Cool, moist 

 woods. May — July. 



Figure 196 



10a. Floret hard, round in cross section, with faint 

 nerves; awn usually present; callus pointed, 

 hairy. Fig. 198V4 11 



Figure 1961/4 



10b. Floret soft or leathery, usually more or less flat- 

 tened and with evident nerves; callus not sharp 

 pointed, either glabrous or hairy. Fig. 196V2....23 



11a. Lemma with 3 awns, the lateral two often short. .12 



Figure 196V2 



lib. Lemma with a single awn or none 



15 



105 



