374 ENDOGENOUS PLANTS 



g 2. Spikelets 2 to 4 at each joint of the rachis; glumes collateral, or wantittg. 

 492. E'L-YMUS, L. 



[An ancient Greek name, of obscure derivation.] 



Spikelets mostly 2 at each joint of the rachis, all fertile, each 2- to 

 7-flowered, the terminal floret abortive. Glumes nearly equal, 

 placed side by side in front of the spikelets, rarely wanting. Paleae 

 coriaceous, the lower one convex, usually awned at apex. Grain 

 adherent to the involving paleae, pubescent at summit. Perennial 

 grasses, often with spikes somewhat resembling those of Barley, 

 or Rye. 



f Glumes unequal-sided, rigid, nerved and awned. 



1. E. Yirginicus, L. Spike erect, straight, dense and thick- 

 ish ; spikelets about 3-flowered ; glumes linear-lanceolate ; florets 

 smoothish. 



VIRGINIAN ELYMUS. Wild Rye. Lyme-Grass. 



Culm 2 to 3 feet high, smooth. Leaves 6 to 12 inches long, broadish, scabrous; 

 sheaths nerved, sometimes pubescent ; spike 3 to 5 inches long ; rachis Bmoothish. 

 Hob. Moist, low grounds ; along streams : frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



2. E. Caiiadeiisis, L, Spike rather loose, curving or some- 

 what nodding ; spikelets 2- to 5-flowered ; glumes lance-subulate ; 

 florets hairy. 



CANADIAN ELYMUS. 



Ctdm 3 or 4 feet high, rather stout, smooth. Leaves 6 to 12 inches long, rough- 

 ish, green, and sometimes glaucous; sheaths smooth. Spiked to 8 inches long; 

 rachis hirsute. 

 Hob. Low grounds ; along streams : frequent. Fl. Aug. Fr. Sept. 



3. E. strisitais, Willd. Spike rather dense, but slender, some- 

 times nodding ; spikelets 1- to 3-flowered ; glumes subulate ; rachis 

 and florets hispidly pilose. 



E. villosus. Muhl. $ Fl. Cestr. ed. 2. p. 84. 

 STRIATE ELYMUS. 



Culm 2 to 3 feet high, rather slender, striate, smooth. Leaves 6 to 8 inches long, 

 pubescent on the upper surface, scabrous on the margins ; sheaths hairy, or the 

 tipper ones smoothish . Spike 2 to 3 inches long, at first erect, finally loose and 

 somewhat nodding ; rachis villous. 

 Hob. Along streams : frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Sept. 



f f Glumes mere rudiments, or wanting; when present, awn-like. 



4, E.Hys'trix, L. Spike erect, open ; spikelets about 3-flowered, 

 distant, diverging; florets smoothish, long-awned. 

 PORCUPINE ELYMUS. Bottle-brush Grass. 



Culm 2 to 4 feet high, smooth. Leaves 4 to 8 inches long, rough on the tipper 

 surface, often glaucous ; sheaths smooth. Spike 3 to 6 inches long ; rachis smooth- 

 ish, serrulate on the margins ; spikelets finally spreading almost horizontally, 

 often 3 at each joint of the rachis ; glumes generally wanting, or mere callous 

 rudiments, or sometimes the upper and lower spikelets have one or two subulate 

 glumes, as long as the fiorets. 

 Hob. Moist, rocky woodlands: frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Aug. 



Obs. The expanded bristly spike of this species somewhat re- 

 sembles an Apothecary's bottle-brush. 



