MAYDEZ 163 
and palea delicately hyaline. The staminate upper por- 
tion of the inflorescence also protrudes from the opening 
for an inch or two. This consists of a few spikelets in 
pairs, the structure being similar to that described above 
for the other genera. At maturity the staminate portion 
of the inflorescence disarticulates, the sheathing bract 
containing the seed forms an ivory-like ovoid fruit, from 
white to bluish gray in color, that separates by a joint 
from the peduncle. These fruits are used as beads for 
ornament. 
