ZOYSIE/E 131 



1 4. Tragus, Haller 



These are annual or perennial grasses, with erect or prostrate 

 stems. Inflorescence is a spiciform raceme, bearing the spikelets 

 in clusters of 2 to 4. The spikelets are i-flowered and usually 

 with two glumes. Sometimes a very minute hyaline lower glume 

 is present. The first glume is thickly coriaceous, 5-ribbed, 

 oblong-lanceolate, and ribs with long recurved spines. The 

 second glume is oblong or oblong-lanceolate, apiculate, chartaceous, 

 3-nerved and with a perfect flower; palea is as long as the 

 glume, 2-nerved. Lodicules are broad, cuneate and fleshy. There 

 are three stamens. Styles are slender and distinct, with narrow 

 stigmas exserted from the top of the glume. Grain is oblong 

 to ellipsoidal free within the glume and its palea. 



