THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



49 



inch and were terete. There was no indication that the 

 spikelets had reached their maximum length and it is not 

 known how long they might have become had they been allowed 

 to continue growing. 



Careful dissection of a number of the spikelets failed to 

 reveal the least indication of floral parts. The bracts making 

 up the spikelet are of the same shape and character as those 

 composing the bracts and calyx of a normal flower. 



1- — Abnormal inflorescence of Cuscuta cuspidata. 2.- 



enlarged about 5 times. 



-Normal flower, Both 



The host was Ambrosia trifida. This plant is frequently 

 attacked by C. cuspidata without causing any abnormal flowers 

 so one can conclude that the host probably had no influence 

 in the production of the spikelets. One suspects in a con- 

 dition of this kind that perhaps an insect or fungous pest may 

 have brought about the abnormality, but careful dissection and 

 microscopic examination of the spikelets and of the stems in 

 the vicinity of the inflorescence failed to reveal anything that 

 would indicate the presence of either an insect or fungous 

 cruise. 



