GRASSES OF low A. 



248 



KEY" TO THE SPECIES OP MELICA. 

 Upper empty glume much shorter than the 3-5 (lowered spikelet. 



Spikelets usually numerous, panicle branches spreading or ascending. 



— M. diffusa ! . 



Spikelets few, panicle branches erect /If. parviflora . " . 



Upper, empty glume nearly or quite equaling the 2-flowered spikelet. 



— M. mutica ."■ . 



1. MELICA DIFFUSA. 

 Melica diffusa Pursh. Fl. Am. Sept. 1: 77. 1814. Watson and 

 Coulter. Gray Man. Bot. 862. 1890. (6 ed.) Beal. Grasses of N. A. 2: 

 502. 1896. Nash in Britton and Brown. 111. Fl. 1: 195. f. 446. 1 

 Melica mutica var. diffusa. A. Gray. Man. 626. 1867. (5ed.j 

 Melica altissima Walt. Fl. Car. 78. 1788. Not. L. 1753. 



Fig 



169. Mi 'an diffusa— a, spikelet; b, flowering 

 glume; c, palet. (Charlotte M. King.) 



DESCRIPTION. 



Tall Melic Grass. Culms \\ to 4 feet (3-8 dm.) tall, erect, 

 simple, smooth and glabrous. Sheaths shorter than the internodes, the 



