267 



Fig. 261. MELICA BUI^BOSA Geyerin Hook. Journ. Bot. 8 : 19. 1856, uomen.; 

 Gray, Proc. Am. Acad. 8: 409. .187.3. THICK-ROOTED BUNCH-GRASS.— A 

 slender, erect, perennial 3-6 dm. (lo-2°) or rarely 9 dm. (3°) high, bulbous at the 

 base, with erect leaves and a narrow, somewhat .spikelike panicle 10-15 cm, 

 (4'-6')long. Sheaths and upper surface of the leaves scabrous. Spikelets (a) 

 10-14 mm. (5"-7") long, with six to eight perfect florets; empty glumes obtuse, 

 the first about 6 mm. (3") long, the second 2 mm. (1") longer, and nearly equal- 

 ing the first flowering glume (b), which is oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, or notched 

 at the apex. The palea and flowering glume is shown by c and the grain by 

 rf.— Dry rocky slopes, moist, shady mountain sides, etc., alt. 900-2,700 m. 

 (2,700°-7,100°). Montana and Wyoming to British Columbia, south to Utah, 

 Nevada, and Oregon; western Texas. May to July. 



