VI] SPIKE AND SPIKELET 87 
the flowers are arranged without stalks—ze. sitting 
directly on it—and so that the youngest are above and 
the older below, a Spike, and each spikelet is a little spike. 
3), 
=> 
Fig. 31. Diagram of a spikelet Fig. 32. Diagram of a spikelet of 
of Wheat dissected ( x about Anthoxanthum dissected (x about 
5) showing—from below up- 8), and showing—from below 
wards—the two glumes, two upwards—two outer and two 
pale, two lodicules, three (awned) inner glumes, two pale, 
stamens, and the ovary of two stamens, and the ovary. 
the typical grass. Oliver. There are no lodicules. Oliver. 
On looking at the total inflorescence of the Nardus we 
see that we have a number of spikelets seated on the sides 
of an axis: this is then a spike of spikelets, or, shortly, a 
Spike’ (Fig. 5). Mibora and Lepturus afford other ex- 
amples. In Panicum, Cynodon (Fig. 2) and Spartina we 
have groups of such spikes. 
1 Strictly speaking a spike is an axis bearing sessile flowers—not 
sessile spikelets: in Grasses, however, the conventional abbreviated term 
is sanctioned by long usage. The same applies to the panicle, &c. 
