582 GRAMINE^E. (GRASS FAMILY.) 



less downy, enclosing 2 or 3 spikelets. (T) Sandy soil, on the coast, and along 

 the Great Lakes; ascending the larger rivers for some distance. Aug. A 

 vile weed. 



62. TRIPSACUM, L. GAMA-GRASS. SESAME-GRASS. 



Spikelets monoecious, in jointed spikes, which are staminate above and fertile 

 below. Staminate spikelets 2, sessile at each triangular joint of the narrow 

 rhachis, forming a 1-sided and 2-ranked spike longer than the joints, both alike, 

 'Mlowered : glumes coriaceous, the lower one (outer) nerved, the inner one boat- 

 shaped : paleae very thin and membranaceous, awnless : anthers (turning orange 

 or reddish-brown) opening by 2 pores at the apex. Pistillate spikelets single 

 and deeply imbedded in each oblong joint of the cartilaginous thickened rhachis, 

 occupying a boat-shaped recess which is closed by the polished and cartilagi- 

 nous ovate outer glume ; the inner glume much thinner, pointed, 2-flowcrcd ; 

 the lower flower neutral ; the paleaj very thin and scarious, crowded together, 

 pointless. Styles united: stigmas very long (purple), hispid. Grain ovoid, 

 free. Culms stout and tall, solid, from very thick creeping rootstocks. Leaves 

 broad and flat. Spikes axillary and terminal, separating spontaneously into 

 joints at maturity. (Name from Tpi'/3o>, to rub, perhaps in allusion to the 

 polished fertile spike.) 



1. T. dactyl oides, L. Spikes (4' -8' long) 2-3 together at the sum- 

 mit (when their contiguous sides are more or less flattened), and also solitary 

 from some of the upper sheaths (when the fertile part is cylindrical) ; some- 

 times, var. MONOSTXciiYUM, the terminal spike also solitary. Moist soil, Con- 

 necticut to Pennsylvania, near the coast, thence west to Illinois, and southward. 

 Aug. Culm 4 - 7 high : the leaves like those of Indian Corn. This is one 

 of our largest and most remarkable Grasses. It is sometimes used for fodder at 

 the South, where better is not to be had. 



63. ERIANTIIUS, Michx. WOOLLY BEARD-GRASS. 



Spikelets spiked in pairs upon each joint of the slender rhachis ; one of them 

 sessile, the other pedicelled; otherwise both alike; with the lower flower neu- 

 tral, of one membranaceous palea ; the upper perfect, of 2 hyaline paleaj, which 

 are thinner and shorter than the nearly equal membranaceous glumes, the lower 

 awncd from the tip. Stamens 1-3. Grain free. Tall and stout reed-like 

 Grasses, with the spikes crowded in a panicle, and clothed with long silky hairs, 

 especially in a tuft around the base of each spikelet (whence the name, from 

 fptov, wool, and avdos, flower). 



1. E. alopecuroides, Ell. Culm (4 - 6 high) woolly-bearded at the 

 joints; panicle contracted; the silky hairs longer than the spikelets, shorter than the 

 straight awn ; or at length contorted ; stamens 2. 1J. Wet pine barrens, New 

 Jersey, Illinois, and southward : rare. Sept., Oct. 



2. E. brevibarbis, Michx. Culm (2 -5 high), somewhat bearded ,-it. 

 the upper Joints ; panicle rather open ; silky hairs shorter than the spikelets. 1J. 

 Low grounds, Virginia and southward 



