CL. III.] TRIANDRIA DIGYNIA. 81 



29. GLYCE'RIA. SWEET-GRASS. 



Calyx of two unequal, awnless chaff-scales, containing a linear 

 spikelet of numerous, alternate, two-rowed, awnless flowers, un- 

 connected by a web at the base. Corolla of two unequal husks ; 

 the outer cylindrical, ribbed, entire, more or less abrupt, with 

 inflected edges ; the inner narrower, obtuse or notched, flat, 

 membranous, with two marginal ribs. Nectary a notched scale. 

 Filaments hair-like, longer than the corolla; anthers pendulous, 

 linear, cleft at both ends. Germen egg-shaped. Styles distinct; 

 stigmas spreading, feathery, repeatedly branched. Seed oblong, 

 loose, covered with the unaltered husks. Name from glucus, 

 sweet. 45. 



1. G. aqudtica. Reedy Sweet-grass. Panicle erect, repeatedly 

 branched, spreading ; spikelets with numerous, obtuse, seven-ribbed 



flowers. Straw six feet high, stout : leaves broad, flat, rough on the 



keel and edges : panicle large, with half-whorled branches : spikelets of 

 from five to ten flowers. This is one of the most beautiful, as well as one 

 of the largest, of our grasses. It is eaten by cattle, and deserves to be 

 cultivated, as it would yield an abundant crop in moist land. Perennial : 

 flowers in July : grows by the margin of rivers : not common. Eng. Bot. 

 vol. xix. pi. 1315. Eng. Fl. vol. i. p. 116. 150. 



2. G.fluitans. Floating Sweet-grass. Panicle slender, very long, 

 slightly branched ; spikelets with numerous obtuse, seven-ribbed, cylin- 

 drical flowers. Root creeping, long : straws partly floating, as are 



many of the linear, flat, obtuse leaves : panicle nearly erect, narrow, with 

 roughish branches : spikelets erect, long, linear, of from eight to twelve 

 flowers: outer husk cylindrical, obtuse. Perennial: flowers in June 

 and July : grows in ditches and stagnant waters : common. Eng. Bot. 

 vol. xxii. pi. 1520. Eng. Fl. vol. i. p. 117. 151. 



3. G. maritima. Creeping Sea-sweet-grass. Panicle branched, rather 

 close ; spikelets with about five, slightly five-ribbed, somewhat pointed 



flowers ; root creeping. Stems about a foot high : leaves involute, 



pointed : flowers cylindrical, hairy at the base. Perennial : flowers in 

 July and August : grows on the sea-coast: frequent. Eng. Bot. vol. xvi. 

 pi. 1140. Eng. FL vol. i. p. 116. 152. 



4. G. distans. Reflexed Sweet-grass. Panicle branched, spreading ; 

 spikelets with about five obscurely five-ribbed, blunt, shining flowers ; 



root fibrous. Straws about a foot high, decumbent at the base : the 



whole plant slightly glaucous : panicle erect, with half-whorled, rough 

 branches: flowers cylindrical. Perennial: flowers in July and August : 

 grows near the coast in sandy pastures : rare. Eng. Bot. vol. xiv. pi. 986. 

 Eng. Fl. vol. i. p. 118. 153. 



5. G. procumbens. Panicle lance-shaped, two-rowed, unilateral, close, 



with rough stalks; spikelets of five bluntish, five-ribbed flowers. 



Root fibrous : the whole plant glaucous : straws about eight inches long, 

 procumbent : outer husk cylindrical, its central rib more prominent 

 towards the summit : inner husk bristly at the lateral ribs. Perennial: 

 flowers in July and August: grows in pastures near the sea : common. 

 Eng. Bot. vol. viii. pi. 532. Eng. Fl. vol. i. p. 119. 154. 



6. G. rigida. Hard Sweet-grass. Panicle lance-shaped, close, two- 



H 



