MAYDE^. 



15 



2. (38). Zea L. Sp. PI. 971 (1753). Indian coen. Corn. 

 Maize. 



Spikelets iiuisexual, monoecious, the staminate in pairs on alter- 

 nate sides of the spikes of a terminal panicle, 2-flowered ; the pis- 

 tillate borne on the large dense axillary spikes ("the cob"), each 

 enclosed by an ample involucre ("the husk"), longitudinal rows 



Fig. 1. — Euchlmna Mexicans. A, portion of the staminate panicle, x 1; b^ 

 pistillate floret, x 3. (Richardson.) 



4-40, 1-flowered. Staminate spikelets slightly unequal, pedicel- 

 late, or one sessile. Glumes 4-5, acute, the 2 outer larger, mem- 

 branous, empty, the 2 inner, the floral and the palea hyaline. 

 Stamens 3. Pistil rudimentary or 0. Pistillate spikelets sessile, 

 densely imbricated in longitudinal rows, the rachis hard or slightly 

 spongy, not articulate. Glumes 4, all membranous, hyaline, or 



