THE MOXOCOTYLEDOXES 



2073 



Fig. 2009. — Stems at the base of the clump shown in Fig. 2008. 



many- flowered, laterally compressed and arranged in loose or 

 contracted panicles, rarely in racemes or spikes. Glumes per- 

 sistent, the outer paleae membranous or coriaceous, usually 

 five- to many-nerved, awnless or awned from the middle, or 

 paleae bifid. Lodicules two, rarely three or absent. Stamens 

 three, rarely two or one. Fruit a caryopsis tightly enclosed 

 between inner and outer paleae. 



There are some seventy genera included in this tribe, many of which 

 form important fodder grasses of temperate regions. In tropical climates 

 they occur either in forest or mountain regions. 



Among the more important genera we may mention Bromus, Festuca, 

 Poa, Dactylis, Cynosurus, Brisa, G/yceria, Loliinn, Melica and Sesleria, all 

 of which are represented in the British Flora. Species of Festuca, Poa, 

 Dactylis, Cynosurus and LoHum are all valuable fodder grasses. 



3. Hordeeae. Annual or perennial herbs, leaf sheaths with small 

 auricles at the mouth, blade narrow. Spikelets one- or many- 

 flowered, solitar}' or in clusters of from two to six flowers, mostly 

 hermaphrodite and sessile. Spikelets alternating on opposite 

 sides of a continuous or jointed rachis, forming solitary spikes or 



