24 



PANICACE^. 



branous, 3-7-nerved, awnless, third glume smaller, hyaline, awnless; 

 floral glume delicately hyaline, bifid with more or less of an awn in 

 the notch. Stamens 3. Styles distinct. Tall grasses with narrow 

 and usually flat leaf-blades. Panicle terminal, large, usually silky 

 hairy. 



It differs from Imperata by its broad panicle, three stamens, 

 and bifid floral glume usually with an awn in the notch. 



There are 8 species, tall grasses found in Southern and East- 

 ern Asia, 1 of which is found in Southern Africa. 



Fig. 6. — Miscanthus Sinensis, X 9. Spikelet. (Richardson.) 



1. M. SmENSis Anderss. CEfvers. K. Vet. Akad. Stockh. 166 

 (1855). See Hack, in D. C. Monog. Phan. 6 : 105 (1889). Etilalia 

 Japonica Trin. Mem. Acad. St. Petersb. (vi.) 2 : 333 (1833). 

 Ericmtlius Japonicus Beauv. ap. R. & S. Syst. 2 : 324 (1817). 



Culms solid, rather stout, 1-2 m. high. Sheaths slightly com- 

 pressed, smooth, throat ciliate; lignle obtuse, broad, 1-2 mm. long; 

 blade flat, 30-00 cm. long, 8-12 mm. wide. Panicle oval, 20-30 or 

 more cm. long, rays numerous, simple, bearing spikelets for their 

 entire length. Spikelets with numerous silky liairs of their own 



