276 



Fig. 270. LAMARCKIA AUREA (L.) Moench. Meth.201. 1794. {Cirnosunis 

 aureus L. Sp. PI. 107. 1753.) GOLDEN-TOP.— A csespitose, branching annual 1-3 

 dm. (i°-l°) high, with elegant one-sided panicles 5-8 cm. (2'-3i') long. Sheaths 

 loose, shorter than the internodes; ligule hyaline, 2-8 mm. (1"-1") long; leaf- 

 blades thin, 2-10 cm. (l'-4') long, 2-6 mm. (l"-3'0 wide; staminate spikelets (b) 

 1-flowered; empty glumes subequal, narrow; flow^ering glume about 3 mm. {U") 

 long, bearing a dor.sal awn just below the apex, &-9 mm. (3"-4i") long; pistillate 

 spikelets (a) elongated, bearing several truncate, awnless empty glumes above 

 the two outer acute ones.— Introduced into southern and Lower California. 

 (Southern Europe, northern Africa, and Austmlia.) March to May. 



This species is a very attractive and popular ornamental grass, and is fre- 

 quently cultivated for edgings, etc. It has escaped from cultivation in southern 

 California, and has become spontaneous there. 



