1 6 Graminaceae 



hollow lie the plumule and the radicle, the latter sur- 

 rounded by a sheath (the Coleorhizd). 



Subfamily i. Panicoideae. Spikelets i -flowered 

 with axis {rachilld) not produced beyond flower, rarely 

 2-flowered, in which case the lower flower is imperfect, 

 when ripe falling off as a whole. (See footnote.) 



a. Hiluni point-like, spikelets dorsally compressed 

 or terete. 



Tribe i. Paniceae. Flowering glitmes and paleae 

 harder than empty glumes. Loiver empty glume usually 

 smaller. 



Pedicels of spikelets naked or hairy. ©Panicum. 



Pedicels of spikelets with stiff bristles. ©Setaria. 



b, Hilum linear, spikelets laterally compressed. 

 Tribe 2. Oryzeae. Empty glumes minute or o. 



Stamens often 6 (but 3 in Brit. Sp.). 



Empty glumes absent. Only British genus : Leersia. 



Subfamily 2. Poeoideae. Spikelets i-many-flowered, 

 when I -flowered the axis {rachilld) is often prolonged 

 beyond the flower, mostly jointed distally to the empty 

 glumes which remain behind when \\\^ flowering glumes 

 fall awayf. When 2-many-flowered there are always 

 distinct internodes between the flowers. 



a. Spikelets with distinct stalks, arranged in panicles, 

 spike-like panicles or racemes. (For /3 see page 19.) 



Tribe 3. Phalarideae. Spikelets i -flowered, with 

 4 efupty glumes. Palea i -nerved. 



3rd and 4th glumes empty, awnless, reduced to small 

 scales. Phalaris. 



t In Alopecurus, Polypogon, Holcus and Spartina the spikelets 

 fall as a whole. 



