264 



Fig 258 MELICA PARVIFLORA (Porter,) Scribn. Mem. Torr. Bot. Club, 

 5 • 50 1894. [M. mutica parvifiom Porter in Porter ^ Coulter Syn. Fl. Colo. 149. 

 1874; M.porteri Scrihn. Proc. Acad.Nat. Sci. Phila. 1885 : 44. pi. l.f. 17, 18. 188o.j - 

 V rather slender, erect, smooth perennial 4-7 dm. (li°-2i°) high, with flat 

 leaves and narrow panicles 15-25 cm. (6'-10') long. Sheaths short, overlapping, 

 scabrous; ligule 2 mm. (1") long; leaf-blades 12-23 cm. (5'-9') long 2-4 mm. 

 (l"-2") wide scabrous. Spikelets pendulous and racemose along the panicle 

 branches 4 to 5 flowered, 10-13 mm. (5"-6") long; empty glumes {a) obtuse, the 

 first shorter than the second; flowering glumes (b) 7-8 mm. m"-i") long, acut- 

 ish, scabrous.-Shaded canyons, mountains of Colorado. New Mexico, Arizona, 

 and prairies of Missouri, Kansas, and western Texas. (.Northern Mexico.) July 

 to September. 



