FESTUCE.E. 



459 



Tall perennials with large flat blades. Panicle variable, dense or 

 more or less spreading. 



There are G or 7 species widely diffused in warm countries of 

 Europe, India, Malay and Madagascar islands, New Zealand, and 

 America. 



1. A. DoNAX L. Sp, PI. 81 (1753). Giaxt Reed-grass. 

 Arimdo scriptoria L. Amoen. Ac. 4:150 (1T59). Arnndo sativa 

 Lam. Fl. Fr. 3: GIG (1778). Donax arundimiceus Beauv. Agrost. 

 78, t. 16 (1812). A. ^Egyptia Delile, 

 Fl. JEg. Illustr. 4 (1813). Donax sati- 

 vus. Presl, Cyi). et Gram. Sic. 32 

 (1826). 



Culms 3-6 m. high, from stout 

 rootstocks. Leaf - blades lanceolate- 

 acuminate, 5-7 cm. wide. Panicle 

 tawny, 30-60 cm. or more long. .Spike- 

 lets 2-3-flowered; empty glumes 10-14 

 mm. long; floral glume slender, acumi- 

 nate, shorter tluxn tlie empty glumes, 

 silky-pubescent below, 7-0-nerved. awn 

 erect, often twice as long as the teeth. 



This majestic grass is often culti- 

 vated for its large size, broad leaves, and beautiful panicles 

 variegated form is also cultivated. 



Introduced from southern Europe. 



106. (212). Phragmites Triu. Fund. Agrost. 134 (1820), in 

 part. Trichoon Roth, lioem. Arch. 1:3, 73 (1798). Arnndo 

 Beauv. Agrost. GO (1812). Czernya Presl, Cyp. et Gram. Sic. 22 

 (1826). Oxyantlie Steud. Sym. PI. Gram. 197 (1855). 



Spikelets 2- to many-flowered, in a large mucli-branched pani- 

 cle, rachilla elongated and articulate between the florets, and 

 covered with very long silky hairs. Empty glumes thin, keeled, 

 acute or slightly pointed; floral glume like the empty glumes ex- 

 cept the longer point, the lower one enclosing a male or rudimentary 

 flower; palea much shorter than its glume, hyaline, 2-ribbed. 

 Stigmas nearly sessile. 



Fig. 91. — Arundo Donax. A, 

 spikelet; b. palea; c, pistil. 

 (Scribuer.) 



A 



