130 GRAMINFAE. 
18. PHALARIS L. Sp ibl; 548 L756: 
Annual or perennial grasses with flat leaves, the inflorescence spike-like, capitate or a 
narrow panicle. Spikelets crowded, 1-flowered. Scales 5, the first and second about equal 
in length, strongly compressed laterally, usually wing-keeled ; third and fourth scales much 
smaller or reduced to mere rudiments ; fifth scale subtending a palet similar to itself and a 
perfect flower. Stamens 3. Styles distinct. Stigmas plumose. Grain oblong, free, 
smooth, enclosed in the scales. [Greek, alluding to the shining grain. ] 
About ro species, mostly natives of southern Europe. Besides the following, 3 others occur in 
the United States. 
Outer scales not winged; inflorescence a narrow panicle. 1. P. arundinacea. 
Outer scales broadly winged; inflorescence a spike or spike-like panicle. 
Spikelets narrow; third and fourth scales much reduced, rigid, subulate, hairy. 
2. P. Caroliniana. 
Spikelets broad; third and fourth scales thin-membranous, broadly lanceolate, glabrous or 
sparingly hairy. 3. P. Canariensis. 
1. Phalaris arundinacea I,, Reed Canary-grass. (Fig. 290.) 
Phalaris arundinacea 1,. Sp. Pl. 55. 1753. 
Glabrous, culms erect, 2°-5° tall, simple, smooth. 
Sheaths shorter than the internodes; ligule 1//-3/’ 
long, obtuse, membranous; leaves 314’—10’ long, 3/’— 
8’ wide, acuminate, smooth or scabrous; panicle 3/— 
8’ long, dense, its branches 14’-1}4’ long, erect or 
sometimes slightly spreading; spikelets 232’/-3/’ 
long; outer scales scabrous, 3-nerved; third and fourth 
scales less than one-half as long as the fifth, subulate, 
rigid, hairy ; fifth scale about three-fourths as long as 
the spikelet, chartaceous, pubescent with long ap- 
pressed silky hairs, subtending a palet of similar 
texture and a perfect flower. 
In moist or wet soil, Nova Scotia to British Columbia, 
south to New Jersey, Kentucky, Kansas and Nevada. 
Also in Europe and Asia. July-Aug. The Ribbon-grass 
or Painted-grass of cultivation, the so-called variety pic/a, 
has leaves variegated with green and white stripes, is a 
derivative of this species, and sometimes escapes from 
gardens. 
2. Phalaris Caroliniana Walt. Carolina Canary-grass. (Fig. 291.) 
Phalaris Caroliniana Walt. Fl. Car. 74. 1788. 
Phalaris intermedia Bosc.; Poir. in Lam, Eneycl. 
Suppl. 1: 300. 810. 
Phalaris Americana Ell. Bot. S. C. & Ga. I: tor. 1817. 
Culms 1°-3%° tall, erect or sometimes decum- 
bent at base, simple or somewhat branched, smooth 
or roughish, glabrous. Sheaths usually shorter 
than the internodes ; ligule 1//-3’’ long, rounded, 
thin-membranous ; leaves 2’-6’ long, 2’’-5’’ wide, 
smooth or slightly scabrous ; spike-like panicle 1’— 
4/ long, dense, its branches about 1's’ long, erect; 
spikelets 2'4’’ long, the outer scales more or less 
scabrous, 3-nerved, wing-keeled ; third and fourth 
scales less than one-half as long as the fifth, subu- 
late, hairy; fifth scale about two-thirds as long as the 
spikelet, acuminate, pubescent with long appressed 
silky hairs. 
In moist soil, South Carolina to Missouri and Cali- 
fornia, south to Florida and Texas. June-Aug. 
