CHAPTER XXIX 



THE characters of this great division, including 25,000 

 species of plants, have already been given (page 304). The 

 number of species is so great that only a few of the most 

 important will be given at this time. One of the most promi- 

 nent and best-known families is the lily family, which receives 

 early consideration. 



TYPHACE^E. Herbs (marsh or aquatic) ; perennial ; flower 

 monoecious, without floral envelopes and borne on a spadix 

 or in heads; leaves linear. This family contains the 

 very common and well-known cattails (Typha. latifolia and 

 7\ angusti folia). 



GRAMINACE^E (Grass Family). Herbs*; annual or peren- 

 nial ; stems usually hollow, f cylindrical, closed at nodes, in some 

 cases rhizomes ; roots fibrous ; leaves two-ranked, alternate, par- 

 allel-veined and the basal part sheathing the stem. Flowers usu- 

 ally perfect, occasionally monoecious, dioecious or polygamous ; 

 inflorescence in spikelets, which are collected into spikes or 

 panicles; perianth imperfect, occasionally wanting; stamens 

 three or six, occasionally four, two or one; ovary superior, one- 

 chambered, one-ovuled; styles two-, occasionally three-parted; 

 cleistogamous or anemophilous (occasionally eiitomophilous) ; 

 fruit a caryopsis. 



This is one of the largest families and contains about 3500 

 species, widely distributed throughout the world and including 

 many of our most important forage plants and grains. A few 

 of the most important will be given special attention. 



The common wheat (Triiicum vulgar e} (Fig. 154) is an an- 

 nual plant which is grown very extensively for the grain. 



* Shrubs or tree-like in the bamboos. 



t Corn is a member of the grass family with a solid stem. 



312 



