DIVISION III 



FLOWERS WITH GLUMES INSTEAD OF A PERL\NTH 



The Grass Family {Graminece). 



Darnel {Lolium teinulentum, Fig. 46). — This 

 and a variety found in flax fields {L. linicold) are 

 credited with being the only grasses known or 



believed to be poisonous. 

 It resembles the common 

 rye-grass (not rye), which 

 is another species of the 

 same genus {L. perenne) 

 in having its " spikelets " 

 standing edgeways against 

 the flowering stem (see 

 figure), and protected by 

 a single and much-elon- 

 gated outer " glume." 

 Wheat, it may be re- 

 membered, has its spike- 

 lets situated sideways 

 against the stem and 



protected by two outer glumes. 



178 



Fig. 46. Lolium temulentum 

 Darnel. 



