264 GRAMINE^E. Beckmannia. 



Moist meadows and marshy places (Bolander) ; Cascade Mountains (Lyall) ; Oregon, Howcll. 

 Though introduced at the East, it is apparently indigenous on this coast. It is found in 

 Europe, Asia, northern Africa and Australia, where as well as in New Zealand it is "truly in- 

 digenous. " As it yields but a scanty herbage, which is not much relished by stock, it has little 

 value to the farmer. 



9. BECKMANTTIA, Host. BECKMANN'S-GRASS. 



Panicle long and narrow, with the spikelets crowded upon its branches in two 

 rows. Spikelets two-flowered, or by abortion one-flowered. Glumes boat-shaped, 

 inflated, abruptly pointed, with scarious margins. Florets sessile. Lower palet 

 membranaceous, 5-nerved, in the lower floret terminating in a very acute often 

 curved point. Stamens 3. Styles 2, short, densely covered with simple hairs. 



A genus of a single perennial species. In all the American specimens we have thus far exam- 

 ined the upper floret is wanting. It has a wide range from southern Europe to Japan, North 

 America, etc. 



1. B. erucaeformis, Host. Culms 2 or 3 feet high : leaves 4 to 8 inches long 

 and about 3 lines wide, roughish, with an elongated ligule : panicle often a foot 

 long, its usually erect branches solitary, or in twos and threes, and sometimes sub- 

 divided : spikelets about 2 lines long, nearly orbicular, green on the keel and some- 

 what wrinkled transversely. Gram, iii, t. 206; Eeichenb. Icon. Fl. Germ. i. 57, 

 t, 171. 



Common northward, extending to Oregon and British America. Mr. Bolander states that this 

 grass forms the greater part of the herbage in the wet meadows of the northern part of the State. 

 According to H. Engelmann the seeds are collected for food by the Utah Indians. Some speci- 

 mens have much the appearance of a Paspalum. The specific name means caterpillar-shaped, re- 

 ferring to the resemblance of the branches of the panicle to some green larva. 



10. PHALARIS, Linn. CANARY-GRASS. 



Panicle clustered or crowded to form a cylindrical or ovoid spike. Spikelets broad 

 and flattened, with one perfect floret, on each side of which is a neutral one reduced 

 to a mere rudiment or scale. Glumes equal, boat-shaped, usually with a winged 

 keel. Perfect flower shorter than the glumes, flattened, awnless. Lower palet 

 shining, becoming cartilaginous when ripe, enclosing the smaller upper one. Scales 

 2 and minute, or wanting. Stamens 3. Ovary smooth : styles elongated, united 

 below; stigmas slender, hairy. Grain flat, closely inclosed by, but free from, the 

 palets. 



A small genus, chiefly belonging to the Mediterranean region and Central Asia. The most im- 

 portant species is the one which furnishes the Canary-seed of commerce. 



1. Panicle dense and spike-like : the glumes keeled. PHALARIS proper. 

 * Glumes with a broad keel : annuals. 



1. P. Canariensis, Linn. Culms 1 to 3 feet high : leaves flat with the upper 

 sheaths much inflated : spike 1 to 1 J inches long, ovoid or somewhat cylindrical, 

 very dense : glumes broad with a conspicuous keel, white on the margin, with a 

 distinct green line within it : rudimentary florets as small lanceolate smooth scales ; 

 perfect floret with minute silky hairs. 



An introduced annual frequently found near settlements where the rubbish from bird-cages has 

 been thrown. Largely cultivated in Europe and occasionally in this country for the seed, which 

 is a favorite food of cage-birds. 



2. P. intermedia, Bosc. Culm variable, sometimes 4 or 5 feet high, smooth : 

 leaves short, the upper an inch long or less, often glaucous ; sheaths, especially the 

 uppermost, inflated : spike 1 to 2 inches long, ovoid ; spikelets 3 lines long : glumes 

 pointed : rudimentary florets linear, hairy, less than half the length of the perfect 



