Victorian Plants. 109 



The second of the two empty bracts much larger 

 than either the third or the tender-membranous 

 fruit-supporting bract. 



Spikelets arranged in a single cylindrical spike ; the second 

 or both the lowest bracts conspicuously ciliolated; stamens 

 three. Neurachne. 2053 



534. Spikelets jointed below the lowest bracts 535 



Spikelets jointed above the lowest bracts ... ... 537 



535. Inflorescence beset with short prickles. 



Spikelets three to five together on a common jointed short 

 stalk, and these clusters arranged in a spike ; all bracts 

 awnless ; lowest bracts hardened and prickly ; stamens 

 three. Tragus. 2055 



Inflorescence smooth or beset with soft hairlets ... 536 



536. Outer bracts disconnected. 



Spikelets arranged in an unilateral spike, always small; 

 bracts often pointed ; lowest bract nearly as long as the 

 next ; stalklets very callous at the summit j stamens three. 



Eriochloa. 2056 



Outer bracts connate towards the base. 



Spikelets arranged in a paniculate spike ; covering bract 

 absent ; fruit-supporting bract pointed or short-awned ; 

 stamens three. Alopecurus. 2057 



537. Spikelets arranged in a cluster or panicle or spike ... 538 

 Spikelets arranged in unitedly terminal spikes ... 545 



538. Fruit soon dropping from its bracts. 



Spikelets arranged in an ample or spike-like panicle, always 



very small ; stamens three or two. Sporobolus. 2058 



Fruit retained by its bracts ... ... ... 539 



539. Spikelets with three or five conspicuous awns ... 540 

 Spikelets with one awn or almost awnless ... ... 542 



