214 A TEXT-BOOK OF GRASSES 



EE. Rachis not prolonged ELEUSINE. 



BB. Spikelets with only 1 perfect floret, often 

 with additional imperfect or modified 

 florets above, sometimes also below. 

 c. Spikelets without additional modified 

 florets, the rachilla sometimes prolonged. 

 D. Rachilla articulated below the glumes. 



E. Glumes narrow, unequal SPARTINA. 



EE. Glumes equal, broad and boat- 

 shaped BECKMANNIA. 



DD. Rachilla articulated above the glumes. 

 E. Spikes digitate; plants extensively 



creeping CAPRIOLA 



(Par. 242). 



EE. Spikes racemose; plants cespitose. . . . SCHEDONNARDUS 

 cc. Spikelets with 1 or more modified florets 



above the perfect one. 

 D. Spikelets with 2 sterile florets below the 



perfect one CAMPULOSUS. 



DD. Spikelets with no sterile florets below 



the perfect one. 

 E. Spikes digitate. 



F. Fertile lemma 1-awned or awnless..CHLORis 



(Par. 243). 



pp. Fertile lemma 3-awned TRICHLORIS. 



EE. Spikes racemose. 



F. Spikelets distant; spikes slender GYMNOPOGON. 

 FF. Spikelets approximate, often im- 

 bricated. 



G. Spikes usually short and rather 

 stout, sometimes with only 1 



to few spikelets BOUTELOUA 



(Par. 244). 



242. Capriola Adans. A small genus of Old World 

 grasses, one of which, Bermuda-grass (C. Dactylori), has 

 been introduced in America and is now common in the 

 tropics and warmer regions as far north as Maryland and 

 southern Kansas. This is a low perennial, producing 

 extensively creeping stolons and rhizomes and erect flower- 

 culms, a few inches to a foot or more in height, ending in 

 3 to 6 slender digitate spikes. It is an excellent grass for 

 lawns and pastures in the southern states but in cultivated 

 fields often becomes a troublesome weed. In soft soil it 



