FESTUCE.E. 



519 



The grass is not liked by cattle. 



Var. laxa Vasey ined. More slender, sheaths often shorter than 



Fig. 106. — Distichlis spicata. A, spikelet; b, floral glume; c, palea. 

 (After Trliiius.) 



the internodes, blades flat, 10-15 cm. long, 2 mm. wide, panicle 

 racemose. 



Utah (Lake Park), ,S'. M. Tranj in 1887. 



121. (253). Briza L. Sp. PI. 70 (1753). Quaking-grass. 

 Calotlieca et Chaxruhjtruin Desv. Nov. Bull. Soc. Philom. 2:190 

 (1810). Poa Adaus. Fam. 2:34 (1763). Tremularia Heist. Syst. 

 12 (1748). For additional synonyms see names of sections. 



Spikelets several-flowered, ovate or cordate, flattish-tnmid on 

 filiform pedicels, in a simple or compound panicle, rachilla gla- 

 brous, articulate between the flowers. Empty glumes membranous 

 orscarious, unequal, very concave, unawned, 3-5-1 1-nerved; florets 

 imbricate, floral glume very broad, concave or inflated, obtuse, acute 

 or shortly awned, 5- to many-nerved; palea much smaller, but very 

 broad and flat with 2 ciliate keels. Stamens 3. Stigmas branched, 

 plumose. Grain obcompressed, broadly ovoid, slightly adhering to 

 glume and palea or free from them. 



