l6. GRAMINEAE 99 



165. Spikelets with 2 flowers and a minute or bristle-like continuation of the 



axis. Flowering glumes with 2 — 4, at least partly bristle-like teeth. 166 

 Spikelets with 3 or more flowers, the uppermost of which is usually in- 

 complete. Flowering glumes with 2 rarely bristle-like teeth. . 167 



166. Fruit globular ; pericarp crusty, almost free from the seed. — Species 5. 



South Africa. (Under Danthonia DC.) . . . Pentameris Beauv, 



Fruit oblong. — Species 40. Southern and tropical Africa. The seeds 



of some species are eaten or used in medicine. (Under Danthonia DC.) 



Pentaschistis (Nees) Stapf 



167. Spikelets falling entire with a part of their stalk. Lowest flowering 



glume without, the others with side-bristles. — Species 4. South Africa. 



(Under Danthonia DC.) Chaetobromus (Nees) Stapf 



Spikelets not falling entire ; axis jointed between and below the flowering 

 glumes. — Species 30. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the 

 tropics. The seeds of several species are eaten or used in medicine. 



Danthonia DC. 



168. (i6i.) Spikelets in spikes, many-flowered. (See 87.) Gaudinia Beauv. 

 Spikelets in sometimes spike-Uke panicles 169 



169. Lower flowers male, upper hermaphrodite 170 



Lower or all flowers hermaphrodite, upper sometimes male or barren. 171 



170. Spikelets with 2 flowers and a bristle-like continuation of the axis. Stamens 



3. Styles short. — Species 2. North-west Africa They yield fodder 



and edible seeds Arrhenatherum Beauv. 



Spikelets with 3 flowers, one of which is sometimes reduced to a glume, 

 without a continuation of the axis. Stamens in the male flowers 3, in 

 the hermaphrodite 2. Styles long. (See 128.) Hierochloe Gmel, 



171. Axis of the spikelets jointed at the base ; spikelets falling entire, 2-flowered, 



the upper flower usually male, the lower hermaphrodite with the flowering 

 glume unarmed. — Species 6, North-west and South Africa. Some are 



used as ornamental grasses. Holcus L. 



Axis of the spikelets jointed above the persistent outer glumes. 172 



172. Fruit grooved in front, usually adherent to the glumes. Spikelets large. 173 

 Fruit not grooved, free. Spikelets usually small I74 



173. Fruit sHghtly grooved. Styles inserted laterally below the summit of the 



ovary. — Species 30. Extra-tropical regions and mountains of the 

 tropics. Some species are poisonous, others are used as fodder-, medi- 

 cinal, or ornamental plants Bromus L. 



Fruit deeply grooved. Styles inserted at or near the summit of the 

 ovary. (See 152.) Avena L. 



174. Flowering glumes 2-cleft or 2-toothed to 2-awned I75 



Flowering glumes irregularly and minutely toothed or 2-lobed with toothed 



lobes or entire 176 



175. Flowering glume of the lower flower awnless, entire. Outer glumes 3 — 5- 



nerved. Spikelets linear-oblong. — Species i. North-west Africa (Al- 

 geria'. . Ventenata Koeler 



