72 PANICACE^, 



2-toothed. Stamens 3. Styles distinct, stigmas splumose. Grain 

 oblong, enclosed by the glumes, the clusters of sj^ikelets at length 

 deciduous by a joint. 



Diffuse or tufted, slender grasses with flat, narrow blades. The 

 clusters of spikelets finally drooping, not unfrequently containing 

 spikelets, 1-3 of which are slender, sterile or neuter mixed with 

 tlie fertile. 



The genus has at first sight much the aspect of the Asiatic 

 MelanoceiicJiris, or of some of the very short-spiked species of 

 Bouteloua, but the real affinity appears to be with Hilaria. 



Species 3, found in Arizona, Texas, Mexico, and South America. 



1. m. cenchroides H. & B. Willd. Sp. PI. 4 : 809 (1806). 

 Culms 20-40 cm, high, more or less reddish throughout. 



Sheaths slightly rough, not keeled ; ligule 3 mm. long, bifid ; 

 blades 4-8 cm. long. Spikes 5-8 cm. long, spikelets in threes, 

 terminal, perfect, the 2 lateral neuter. Empty glumes equal, 

 2-2.5 mm. long, 1-nerved, each with an awn its own length be- 

 tween the shorter teeth ; floral glume one-third longer, 3-awned ; 

 the lateral awns equalling those of the outer glumes ; the terminal 

 awn twice as long ; palea with 2 short awns between the lobes. 

 Glumes and palea of the neuter flowers smaller, otherwise much 

 like the fertile. 



Mexico, Parry and Palmer for U. S. Dept. Agricul. 



Texas and Mexico. 



2. m. geminiflorus H. & B. Nov. Gen. et Sp. 4:133, t. 43 

 (1815). 



A slender grass, 10-20 cm. high, more or less tinged with red. 

 Culms geniculate. Spikes secund, 3-6 cm. long. Spikelets in 

 threes, the 2 lateral neuter; empty glumes of the perfect flower 1.7 

 cm. long, 1-nerved, cuneiform, cuspidate between the broad, 

 rounded lobes of the emarginate apex ; floral glume nearly twice as 

 long, 3-nerved, lateral awns short, central awn about twice as long 

 as the glume; palea equalling the floral glume, with 2 very short 

 setae, empty glumes of the neuter spikelets half as long as the fer- 

 tile; floral glumes oval, 3-nerved, mucronate, or with a very short 

 awn; palea obovate, bicuspidate. Anthers 1.5 mm. long. 



